A fire gutted a warehouse on the Roodezandt Farm, outside Wellington, on Monday (26 May). Photo: Kade Loubser
A fire gutted a warehouse on the Roodezandt Farm, outside Wellington, on Monday (26 May). Photo: Kade Loubser

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a blaze that gutted a large warehouse on the Roodezandt Farm in the Lady Loch area of Wellington on Monday (26 May).

According to local fire-and-rescue services the blaze was reported just before 10:00 and fully contained just before 13:00.

When Paarl Post arrived on the scene around 10:30, farmworkers and firefighters were actively trying to contain the blaze. Some farmworkers were seen frantically carrying items such as boxes and poles away from the burning building.

One worker told the publication that although the fire had spread rapidly they were able to remove all vehicles from the warehouse.

She said nobody knew how the fire started.

All workers managed to vacate the building. safely.

Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire Chief Wynand Els said Fire and Rescue Services received the call at 09:51 and dispatched the first firefighting vehicle one minute later.

“Responding to the fire, we used three pumpers and two water tankers from Drakenstein Municipality, while the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services assisted with another water tanker and one pumper.

“Around 12:48 the fire was extinguished and we completed damping-down and mop-up procedures.”

He said that the roof and walls of the storage warehouse were structurally compromised and deemed unsafe.

Packaging material such as carton and plastic boxes that were stored on site as well as some equipment were destroyed. According to Els the cause of the fire was still unknown by Tuesday (27 May).

Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW), who also responded with one large tanker, in a statement, said it was called on to assist by the owner of the farm.

“The extent of the fire caused major water issues. DFW sent one team with a pumper/tanker and took along its special high-volume, high-pressure pool pump since the nearest fire hydrants were far away, which was a cause for concern for the owner.

Volunteer firefighters of Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW) also assisted with the blaze. Photo: Rasaad Adams

DFW said its crew gauged firefighters’ intentions and strategies from the Drakenstein Fire Chief and, at the request of the farm owner, positioned themselves on the south side of the blaze.

“With the special pool pump our truck was able to throw sufficient water, nearly an unlimited amount, to assist the other teams.

“Fires on farms are always a challenge, mostly due to water problems. We wish the farm Roodezandt all the best with the rebuilding of their warehouse.”

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