Fire threat to military base, airport
A BUSH fire in Port Elizabeth quickly devoured vast areas of vegetation before spreading into the Forest Hill Military Base yesterday, threatening houses and blanketing the Port Elizabeth Airport in a thick cloud of smoke.
Firefighters, military personnel and airport fire services had their hands full, rushing from one flare-up to the next in the Forest Hill area, trying to contain the blaze fuelled by gusting winds.
This was one of several fires across the city, with smaller fires in parts of Walmer and the Baakens Valley. A large portion of the military base golf course was scorched.
Firefighters and military personnel doused the flames using hosepipes and beat the fires with leafy branches.
Two small bulldozers were also brought to the frontline in an attempt to clear some of the grass and vegetation, creating a firebreak where houses were most at risk.
“At this stage, we have had no real property damage, and no one has been hurt,” a high-ranking military official at the scene said.
Frightened wild animals were seen running among the houses.
A small antelope fled into the street, while ferrets, snakes, bush rats and other critters darted off to try and find safety. The only visible damage on the base was to an old storage structure that had stood abandoned for some time.
Fires spread close to the airport runways, causing massive plumes of smoke.
According to airport officials, no damage was reported and no flights were delayed.
Firefighters were to monitor the area overnight.