Inferno decimates heritage home in Westcliff
A heritage home in Westcliff known as Duntreath was destroyed by a fire in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) announced on their Facebook page that Duntreath, which was awarded a blue plaque last year, had been destroyed.
JHF said on their website that the house was built from koppie stone on the steep slope of the East Westcliff Ridge. It was designed by architect Herbert Baker, and overlooks the Johannesburg Zoo and the forested northern suburbs.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said they received a call about the fire around 4.45am and arrived on the scene at 5.15am.
“The fire was extinguished around 10am. The cause is still subject to investigation. No injuries were reported,” said
Mulaudzi.
Blue plaques, assigned by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, are awarded to properties rich in remote or recent history, for fine architecture, or to honour people, places and/or events.
The plaque provides an explanation of the historical significance, and is a distinctive blue colour, made from either china, ceramic or fibre glass. Some even contain QR codes so that more information can be found online, the Heritage Portal said.
Essentially, it implies the history of a certain place is protected, but also gives residents and visitors a bit more insight into an otherwise overlooked area, especially in bustling Johannesburg. – Caxton News Service