Rene Viljoen, the programme co-ordinator at Warriors Academy, will never forget how the sound of explosions jolted her awake and the mountain lit up in flames.

Letaba Herald reports that in the early hours of this morning, Viljoen was awoken by what she described as the sound of an ‘attack in a war zone’, only to discover that a truck carrying gas cylinders had exploded above Magoebaskloof Ruskamp, triggering a forest fire and a string of thunderous blasts that rocked the area.

Terrifyingly close to the scene, Viljoen described how the forest came ‘alive with fire’, each blast illuminating the darkness like a signal flare. With adrenaline surging and sleep impossible, she joined others in watching the inferno unfold.

“I was afraid of a forest fire that could get out of control,” she wrote in a Facebook post just hours later, still reeling from the chaos.

The fear was not unfounded. The explosion closed the R71 and sent flames racing down the mountainside, dangerously close to Warriors Camp.

“I am not sure what happened, and I hope the driver escaped,” she added.

Later information revealed that the driver had managed to get away without injury.

Emergency services – Letaba Fire Protection Association, Tzaneen Fire Brigade, SARZA Limpopo, Disaster Management and the Tzaneen Emergency Support Team – descended on the area swiftly, battling both flames and treacherous terrain.

By 04:30, teams were still working to contain the blaze, but accessing the actual site of the explosion remained too risky.

Staff from Warriors Camp rushed towards the scene despite not knowing the extent of the danger. “They ran to assist, not knowing what they were heading to,” Viljoen said.

Others stayed back, preparing spray cans and water to defend their homes against the advancing fire.

By morning, the flames had subsided, replaced by the blinking lights of emergency crews.

But for Viljoen, the emotional fire still raged. “I’m sure I’ll crash and fall asleep this afternoon,” she said. “Just too much adrenaline released. Survival instinct.”

Local WhatsApp groups claim the driver lost control of the truck when the brakes failed.

The R71 between Polokwane and Tzaneen has since officially reopened to motorists following the explosion. The Limpopo Department of Transport confirmed the road is safe for use after fire crews managed to contain and extinguish the blaze that spread through the forest near the Magoebaskloof Ruskamp.

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