Barville Park ablaze
SEVERAL fires flared up at Bobby and Judy McGarvie’s farm in Barville Park between Port Alfred and Kasouga, about 8km from the R72 turnoff yesterday.
With a steady wind blowing and exceptionally dry bush and veld, the fire spread quickly, being doused in one area and then igniting in another.
The fire was able to cross a farm road, starting another fire at a nearby camp, and then spread through more bush, moving dangerously close to the farm-owner’s house.
The cause of the fire is unconfirmed at present, but winds fanned flames which lead to a tense situation, with neighbouring farmers and staff doing their best to help, monitor and control the scorching flames. A water tanker was being driven from one fire to the next, dousing fires and wetting bush to prevent further blazes.
When the alarm was raised, neighbouring farmers called the Ndlambe Fire Department but were told that the fire truck could not attend to it, as it was being held up at the R67 housing protest near Nemato/Thornhill.
About two hours after being summoned, the fire truck was eventually released from the protest and attended the blaze. On Tuesday afternoon, a neighbouring farmer at the scene, Adrian Ford, warned that, “[the] fire is heading toward our farm now. It is difficult to contain due to thick bush and sandy terrain”.
By nightfall, the fire had spread onto Elmhurst Farm, where John and Debbie Ford farm. Tractor and bush-cutters were trying to cut fire break-type roads so they could control it to an extent.
“Thanks to all the people who are helping us,” Elizabeth Ford said.
Reports came through that they had managed to extinguish the fire by 2am Wednesday morning, but that the terrain was being closely monitored as strong winds were predicted for the remainder of the week.