Volunteer firefighter burns in Kameelfontein fire
The firefighter was treated for serious burns in hospital, after he was injured in the massive veld fire that took three days to put out completely.
A volunteer firefighter was badly burnt during a massive veld fire in Kameelfontein last week.
The man, a volunteer for the Roodeplaat Fire Protection Association (FPA), was still in the intensive care unit of Steve Biko academic hospital on Tuesday where he was being treated for burns on his face, arms and legs.
The firefighter’s family asked for his identity to be withheld, citing “privacy reasons” and that the matter was “still very traumatic”.
On Thursday, September 2, around 15:30 a radio message came through on the Zello-channel of a veld fire in the Kameelfontein area.
Roodeplaat FPA responded to the scene.
“The volunteers in the area were informed by radio about the fire and all the available firefighters responded,” said the firefighters’ co-ordinator Coenraad Louw.
“The situation was discussed and we decided on the safest way to approach the fire. The fire was at that time very close to several homes and buildings, and it was decided to give priority to the protection of the people and dwellings in immediate danger.”
Strong winds caused the fire to quickly spread to neighbouring properties from where it originated.
“The firefighters managed to secure all the dwellings and inhabitants and then began to move out to where the fire was in still burning in the veld and bushes.”
Around 21:30 that evening, the veld fire was brought under control and the firefighters began to withdraw.
“However, there were many smouldering stumps and branches in the already burned area which, taking the wind into account, set the field on fire again,” said Louw.
“The firefighters were already very exhausted at the time and withdrew to their various homes to rest, fill water tanks and prepare themselves in case the fire flared up again. There were at that time no homes or people close to the area where the fire could re-ignite.”
Louw said the landowners in the immediate area were asked to monitor the situation and immediately call on the radio if they spotted a flare-up.
The fire flared up again at 10:45 the following day, and the firefighters were deployed again.
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“The wind was very strong and the fire moved up a mountain towards homes,” said Louw.
“The firefighters once again made it their priority to protect people, homes and animals. The firefighters fought hard against the raging fire and had to fall back on several occasions to keep themselves safe.
“Around 16:10 one of the firefighters withdrew and stood with the wind in his favour in Rinkhalsweg to make sure the fire does not jump across the road. However, the wind changed direction and within seconds the flames surrounded him.”
The injured firefighter was rescued by other volunteers and one of them, a trained paramedic, swiftly tended to his wounds.
“The ambulance was also called and was on the scene very quickly.”
He was then rushed to the hospital.
Louw said the fire continued to flare up again in several places and the Roodeplaat FPA, assisted by the neighbouring Cullinan FPA, fought against the fire until late evening again.
“Some of the firefighters fought the fire throughout the night and only withdrew at 4:30 on Saturday, September 4.”
The fire was finally brought under control on Saturday afternoon.
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