While most of us were fortunate to play and relax this holiday, hundreds of people were harshly affected by fires leaving them destitute around Christmas and New Year.

A portion of the informal settlement community near Simondium, near the intersection of the R301 and R45, Paarl, could not enjoy festive lights for Christmas, but rather watched as red flames sent their possessions up in smoke.

The Drakenstein Municipality (DM) immediately deployed firefighters, electricity and housing officials as well as other resources to deal with the disaster that occurred around midnight on 22 December, according to Executive Director of Community Services, Gerald Esau.

“An assessment of the situation indicates that 228 persons were affected, including 64 children. The DM regrets and mourns the loss of the life of a 41-year-old male, due to a fallen tree.”

Humanitarian relief was provided by DM. Gift of the Givers was on site to provide daily meals and other essentials to those affected, and a partnership provided building material for 75 households to rebuild their structures.

Just days earlier Esau reported another fire that devastated Mbekweni in Drommedaris Street on 18 December. An estimate of 99 informal dwellings were destructed and 162 people were left homeless.

“No injuries or fatalities were reported. Following an assessment of the victims, DM provided food parcels, blankets, vanity kits (toiletries) and cooking utensils to the affected families.”

Prepared meals were provided by the Municipality for the following three days in partnership with Gift of the Givers. A temporary shelter was made available for all the victims in fairly close proximity to the affected area.

“The municipality assisted to provide the required documentation in order for additional assistance to be requested from Sassa.”

Suspected arson at Ashanti Estate

On 7 January, the Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW) reported the third in a series of incidents in one week where start-up fires at the Ashanti Estate in Paarl had to be tackled by its volunteers.

DFW director Daan van Leeuwen Boomkamp said: “The previous times the DFW teams were so fast on site that it was suppressed in minutes. That morning however, the flames gained momentum due to wind and warm temperatures and ignited the vineyards.”

The grape vineyard was lost, however the fire did not spread to neighbouring farms. Daan explained why he suspects arson in this case: “If the fire starts in the middle of the day the first time, but in the middle of the night the second time around, coupled with issues of alleged illegal occupation on the farm, it’s easy to suspect arson.

“It is an issue of crime in rural areas in Paarl, as neighbouring farms have experienced other incidents like copper theft over the holiday period.”

Smaller smokes

According to Daan, the DFW Fire and Rescue volunteers responded to many start-up fires in rural areas and farms in the first week of January.

“Our volunteers tended to four start-up fires in one day, which could be worsened by the rising hot temperatures. In any fire, buildings or field, it is all about fast response to keep damage low. Most fires start with a human event and in many cases, its (un)intentional stupidity or sometimes plain arson.”

He said the response to a start-up fire can only be initiated when it is reported in time and the information is adequate.

“Immediately send a location pin or street address on a WhatsApp group and send it to the right local emergency number.”