Mondi millions up in smoke

GALE force winds that lashed Zululand on Saturday also fanned a fierce fire that led to millions of rands loss as bark and timber went up in flames at Mondi Richards Bay.

The fire reportedly began spontaneously in the vast stockpile of bark used to fire the boilers at the plant.

Despite desperate attempts by Mondi fire crews, assisted by uMhlathuze Fire & Rescue, teams from other industries and the Zululand Fire Protection

Services water bomber plane, it raged out of control in the blustery conditions.

At times the wind gusted to 40 knots as the fire claimed everything in its path, including a rail truck laden with logs, and tons of stockpiles of timber.

It also spread to a neighbouring forest but rapid deployment of fire tenders and crews successfully stopped it destroying the plantation.

At least 20 loads, each containing 1 500 litres of water, were dropped onto the blaze from the aircraft.

While the fire is expected to smoulder for days, weary firemen were relieved to see rain falling on Sunday morning after just one of many huge blazes this past week in the parched, brittle-dry winter conditions.