KZN EMS paramedics and emergency officials responded to several areas in the Estcourt area, including the Phangweni, Rensburg and Loskop areas, which had been lashed by a severe thunderstorm on Saturday. Several people were injured in the storm and buildings were damaged. In the Phangweni area lighting stuck a thatch roof house.
A woman and four children in the house were severely injured from a combination of the lighting striking the house, debris falling from the roof and the ensuing fire, which completely gutted the small house. KZN EMS paramedics trying to get to the small house in the pitch dark (there was a power failure affecting a large area) were not able to reach the scene as the iron roof from a nearby house had been blown off and was lying on the road. The strong winds had also blown the electricity poles down and there were live cables lying on the road. The local councillor and neighbours assisted the family and brought them to the ambulance.
The paramedics treated the five patients for various traumatic injuries before transporting them to  Estcourt Hospital.
There was also a report of a house, which was also apparently struck by lightning and also burnt down in the  Rensburg area.
The people from this house were transported privately to hospital.
A 16-year-old girl was treated for injuries after being picked up by paramedics from a clinic in Loskop, the details pertaining to the girl’s injuries are still uncertain but it is believed to be storm related. Other damages included power lines being blown over and damages to buildings, the extent of which is still being assessed by officials. Disaster management officials were on location assessing the damages and helping those affected.