Veldfire rages through defence force’s unit
A veldfire raged its way through the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) north signal unit next to the Polokwane International Airport on Sunday.
POLOKWANE – A veldfire raged its way through the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) north signal unit next to the Polokwane International Airport on Sunday.
Mild panic reigned briefly as residents rushed to take their clean laundry from the washing lines before it could catch fire.
An old abandoned mobile park home was completely destroyed in the fire, which, according to one resident, started on the side of the road and began raging across an open field.
Some old storerooms, as well as equipment were also destroyed.
Another resident, Albert Malunga, said 40 people were living on the base.
Local firefighters ensured the fire did not reach some of the storerooms, while residents fought the fire to keep it away from the main buildings.
According to Sgt Maj Jackson Siligana, no one was injured during the fire and the cost of the damage had not yet been determined.
Working on Fire provincial general manager, Sam Maepa, said fire safety was the priority of every citizen in Limpopo. “No matter who you are any fire should be monitored and people setting fires for fun should be deterred from doing so,” he said vehemently.
He urged all land owners to work closely with their fire protection associations (FPA) by complying with the FPA regulations.
