AT least 54 people, including seven children, were left homeless when a fire destroyed 35 informal structures and damaged a further eight in Sea Vista, St Francis Bay, on Sunday evening.
According to Kouga community services portfolio Councillor Daniel Benson, the fire was reported to the municipality’s fire department at 20:52. Firefighters from the St Francis Bay station were on the scene within eight minutes.
Back-up firefighters from Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp were also dispatched.
“The Kouga Fire Department, in conjunction with the St Francis Bay Disaster Volunteer Group (DVG), managed to get the fire under control at approximately 22:00,” he said.
“The municipal human settlement section is in the process of inspecting and clearing the area in preparation for the rebuilding of homes by the victims,” said Benson.
Freddie van Rooyen, CEO of Masikhathalelaneni, an NPO based in Jeffreys Bay, said the response to help the affected community was swift.
“From the moment I received the call from concerned residents, I immediately contacted my team of volunteers and soon they worked out a plan to assist those in need.
“Shoprite immediately responded that their community soup truck was on its way to support. The love and care of the St Francis Bay community and the disaster volunteer group is something (everyone can) see or feel. If SA can be like this, we will surely be blessed,” said Van Rooyen.
“Let me thank Shoprite, Woolworths Jeffreys Bay and Woodlands Dairy, for the care you, as companies, have for our communities. We are blessed to be your hands and feet in our communities, especially in difficult times like this.
“It is important to thank everyone who has contributed to support the people affected. We also thank the Kouga Municipality team. We thank you on behalf of the communities,” he added.
According to Benson, the affected families are being accommodated at the St Francis Bay Community Hall, while St Francis Animal Rescue is attending to the affected animals.
“The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed. The municipality and DVG are calling for donations of building materials, furniture, household goods, clothes, and toiletries, to assist the affected families.
Donations can be dropped off at the St Francis Bay Property Owners’ office at 28 Lyme Road South. Monetary donations can be made to FOSSFAR at Standard Bank, account number 186512139, branch number 050015. Alternatively, send an e-mail to disastervolunteergroup@gmail.com.
“We would like to express our condolences to those households that were affected by the fire,” said Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks.
“It is devastating to lose one’s possessions and shelter in this way.”
