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2 months ago
20
- A runaway veldfire in the KZN midlands killed at least six firefighters.
- Others were rushed to hospital, suffering from severe burn wounds.
- The fire was eventually extinguished.
At least six firefighters died after being caught in a runaway veldfire in the Boston area, near to Mpophomeni in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Sunday.
Midlands EMS CEO Mark Winterboer earlier confirmed that three firefighters had died as a result of their injuries, while another four were transported to hospital with 100% burn wounds.
Later, however, another three firefighters died in hospital due to serious burn wounds.
Midlands EMS crews, together with Midlands EMS rescue medics, worked to stabilise several patients on the scene.
At the same time, the fire continued to rage, and firefighting aircraft attempted to douse the flames.
A decision was made to call in additional resources, including a Netcare 911 aeromedical helicopter, with extra equipment to assist on scene.
Three firefighters were placed on ventilators, with one airlifted to the hospital.
Two others, in critical condition, required urgent advanced life support treatment.
All patients were treated on the scene before being transported to the hospital for further care.
The fire was eventually extinguished on Sunday afternoon.
Unfavourable conditions
The fire broke out at a property, called Stirling Farm, and had been fed by "unfavourable conditions", said uMgungundlovu District spokesperson Brian Zuma.
Siya Mkhize, the financial manager for Farmusa Agric and Forestry contractors, earlier said it was their firefighters who had died.
"We are aware of the fatal incident. I haven't arrived at the scene. Three firefighters were battling the fire when they lost their lives. We haven't released the identities of the deceased."
He said their company operated in fire protection and employed around 400 people.
Provincial cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said the fire broke out in a plantation, characterised by difficult terrain, complicating the efforts of the fire and emergency services deployed to the scene.
"We are heartbroken by the loss of these courageous workers who were fighting to protect others from harm," he said.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragic event and wish a speedy recovery to those injured."
The Cogta department said that, prior to Sunday's fire, veldfires had ravaged parts of the King Cetshwayo, Ilembe, uThukela and Zululand Districts, which killed seven people.
Among the victims were a two-year-old and a nine-year-old.
"Six of the victims perished in their homes when they were overcome by the raging wildfires, the seventh passed away because of a structural fire at the Masinenge informal settlement."
My friends have been battling fires at their farm in The Midlands for a whole week now. Their entire plantation is gone, but thankfully everyone is doing okay(all things considered) and is safe, so too are their animals(dogs & livestock), the house, cars and other property… pic.twitter.com/1t9KPRw7BP
— Uncle Sands ???? (@SandinhoUno) July 14, 2024Buthelezi assigned disaster management teams to provide support to the affected families.
Meanwhile, a fire also broke out in Durban on Sunday morning, killing a pregnant woman and displacing hundreds of residents.
The eThekwini Municipality said it was currently coordinating temporary relief efforts for displaced Kenville informal settlement residents following a fire that broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The municipality estimated that more than 100 homes had been gutted, with around 300 people displaced.
A pregnant woman "succumbed to fire injuries", the municipality said.
Those with minor injuries were treated onsite by medical personnel.
"The City's Fire and Emergency Services Unit immediately responded to a fire that occurred at about 00:30 at the settlement. A team of 30 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, along with eight fire engines," the municipality said.
"The firefighters worked tirelessly until the fire was successfully extinguished."
The municipality added that a "full sweep and thorough search was carried out to ensure that no one was trapped".
Emergency personnel, including disaster management teams, were still at the scene to monitor the situation.
"Preliminary assessments to determine the damage and extent of the required relief intervention is under way," the municipality said.
The cause of fire is unknown at this stage and it is being investigated.
