Conveyer belts go up in flames
Conveyer belts were destroyed when a fire broke out at the scrap yard.
A fire broke out at the Amakhosi scrap yard on 14 June.
Conveyer belts, worth a substantial amount of money, were damaged.
According to Mr David Sibanyoni, owner, a fire started outside the premises on 13 June.
“I do not know who started the fire, but we extinguished it the same day,” Mr Sibanyoni said.
He also said he went to the scrap yard after church on Sunday and there was another fire outside the premises.
Mr Sibanyoni extinguished the fire again before it could reach the scrap yard and went back home.
While at home he saw smoke coming from town, but did not think much of it.
He later received a call informing him about a fire at the scrap yard.
“Upon arrival I found the conveyer belts on fire,” Mr Sibanyoni said.
They called the fire brigade for assistance.
Mr Sibanyoni said the conveyer belts did not belong to him.
The owner kept them at the scrap yard and only collected them when needed.
He also said the owner has not been informed about the incident because he was struggling to get hold of him.
Mr Sibanyoni did not know if the conveyer belts were insured or not.
According to Ms Thando Shezi, spokesman of Working on Fire, most veld fires are caused by human negligence.
“The public should contact the Fire Protection Association for permission if they want to do fire breaks,” Ms Shezi said.
She also said the association has the knowledge on when and how to manage fires.
According to her veld fires can also result in loss of lives, property and livestock.
According to Mr Louis Kotze of the Lekwa Fire Protection Association, the grass was apparently burnt and a similar incident happened last year as well.
“We have a municipality that is supposed to enforce bylaws,” Mr Kotze said.
He also said the fire brigade has difficulty in doing their job because of lack of equipment.
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