FIRE FIGHTERS KNOCK OFF AT 6PM LEAVING FIRE TO RESIDENTS AND TO LOCAL FARMERS
Residents on Monzali Drive and William Younger Road arrived home after work on Friday to find their homes in danger of being ravaged by an uncontrolled fire. Neighbours grouped quickly together in Monzali Drive with hosepipes and buckets in an attempt to control the fire which had already spread to the tops of the trees and fence line. By passers also stopped to assist. One of the residents who wish to remain unnamed had reported this fire which allegedly started in a vacant plot surrounded by tall gum trees at around 1.30pm to the fire brigade. When a resident phoned the Brigade again around 16.00 they were informed that the Fire Brigade team was attending an accident scene near Howick and is unavailable to Monzali Drive. At 16.30 the fire, still unattended, had spread to the neighbours' gardens threatening their homes.
Residents took their fate in their own hands and continued their efforts in the gusting winds and acrid smoke to control the fire. The fire then jumped a block and a second fire started in William Younger Drive. The Municipal Fire Brigade arrived at William Younger drive around 16.45 to douse the fire which had already caused damage to the neighbouring fence and garden; neglecting the fire in Monzali Drive. Local Farmers and Property Developers, Ralph and Andre Voigts, from Mount Verde Estate, arrived in their fire fighting truck and successfully put out the fire in Monzali Drive.
A Monzali Drive Resident said 'The Municipal fire truck arrived at Monzali drive after fighting the fire at William Younger to tell us that they are clocking off at 6pm so they are unable to help us but they will send another fire truck when they get back to base. We carried on fighting the fire as best we could while we continue to wait for the next fire truck. Thankfully the wind died down'
Another reported "Precious, the municipal fire truck manager did a good job at the William younger fire. They had a small crew but worked well. Many thanks to Voigts for their assistance. Much appreciated. Thanks to residents for working together"
It is reported that the same fire in the vacant plot had been smouldering during the week which had been repeatedly reported to the Fire Brigade. He added "Pity the fire department did not put the fire out properly earlier in the week. They are good with buildings but forest and veld fire fighting skills need attention".
Another Monzali Resident praised the efforts of the community in their selfless act to assist each other. She added "some of us met each other for the first time today, whilst we all fought for the same cause. It is this sense of community that brings all South Africans together and gives us faith for a brighter future. Our utmost gratitude to the Voigts family who arrived with their fire fighting equipment to assist us in our efforts to save our homes."
At 8pm the fire in William Younger Drive, reignited in the unfavourable weather conditions. The neighbours quickly alarmed each other and evacuated their homes whilst they continued in their attempts to control the fire until the Fire Department returned.
News supplied by Brigid Scheuer of Voigts Property Group.
