Farleigh blaze claims 2 women, 6 children

Garden Route residents were treated to a bitter case of déjà vu over the past few days when a combination of weather conditions and fires flaring up across the area rudely reminded them of June 2017.

At the end of a long night’s battle with the blaze – took on by emergency services from across the Garden Route, local fire management units and civilians alike – eight people including an expecting mother from the Farleigh area near Karatara lost their lives. In less than 24 hours, the fire that started in Karatara on Monday 29 October and eventually necessitated the evacuation of residents from as far as Hoekwil near Rheenendal as a precautionary measure, claimed more lives than the June 2017 blaze. Two women and six children – all under the age of 12 – succumbed to the flames that ravaged among others parts of Farleigh, Karatara, Bosdorp and Keurhoek near Rheenendal.

Following their death, according to Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie, an inquest docket has been opened. Pojie said preliminary investigations identified the victims as Elsabe Windvogel (42), Ethan Windvogel (2), Eljade Windvogel (12), Andrea Bewee (21), Nalaya Oelf (5), Niah Oelf (3), Aliyah Oelf (13 months) and Nalani Oelf (11 months) – all from Farleigh.

Pojie added that Knysna police have also opened an inquiry docket into the cause of the fire. According to reports the deceased formed part of two families. The surviving family members are currently extremely traumatised and have declined to speak to the media at this stage. 1 000 people evacuated

“It is with deep sadness and regret that I learned of these deaths… My sincere condolences and sympathies go out to their relatives, colleagues and loved ones during this very tragic time,” said Knysna mayor Mark Willemse the next day.

By Tuesday morning 30 October the fires had forced close to a thousand (if not more) Farleigh, Karatara and Keurhoek residents from their homes to seek shelter in the Brenton-on-Sea, Sedgefield, Hornlee, Karatara and Rheenendal community halls, as well as at Totties Restaurant on the Rheenendal Road, according to Knysna Municipality.

As with the June 2017 fires, community members from across the Garden Route came together to assist with these relief efforts, and still continue as this publication appears on shelves.

Countless structures were also reduced to rubble and ashes by the fires. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) said structures lost included Ou Tolhuis, three structures in Beervlei, four structures at Garden Route Horse Trails, 12 houses in Farleigh/Bosdorp, the Geelhoutvlei Timbers Sawmill and various plantations in the area.

While Knysna was facing its own demons during this time, many parts around the Garden Route were also battling their own fires. George, Swellendam, Heidelberg, Swartberg and the Ladismith/Calitzdorp areas were also attended to. Among the almost “600 resources” deployed to fight the flames, according to the GRDM, were an SANDF Oryx helicopter, two “aerial tractors” (fixed-wing aircraft), two Huey helicopters from Working on Fire, and one private helicopter.