Firefighter dies in Mpuma fires

2008-09-01 17:07

Sydney Masinga

Nelspruit - A 44-year-old firefighter has been burned beyond recognition at a plantation in Ngodwana, near Nelspruit.

"She was with 15 colleagues when they were called to extinguish a fire at the plantation," said Ngodwana police spokesperson, Constable Ngwako Kgofelo.

He said the truck in which they were travelling was quickly encircled by fire driven by heavy winds.

"Everyone started jumping off the truck and she fell and was trapped. She burned beyond recognition, along with the truck. The others sustained burn wounds," Kgofelo said.

Mpumalanga authorities issued a high alert after 49 wildfires destroyed 22 000 hectares of land, leaving 23 people injured and three dead since Saturday.

Firefighters from Working on Fire (WoF) in the province fought 16 fires on Saturday, 20 on Sunday and 13 on Monday.

WoF's regional spokesperson, Andre Scheepers said five of the 23 injured victims were in a critical condition while 18 were treated for minor injuries. Spokesperson for the provincial local government department, Simphiwe Kunene, has urged community members to report all fires to the provincial disaster management centre.

"We also urge people not to start any fires in the open or to burn litter or throw away cigarette stubs in the veld or leave any fires unattended," he said.

Motorists are also urged to be extremely cautious as some roads are engulfed in thick smoke, which limits visibility.

"Motorists are urged to avoid areas with fire and heavy smoke," Kunene cautioned.

All 23 of Mpumalanga's municipalities are on full alert and prepared to respond quickly to reports of fire outbreaks, said Kunene.

The provincial disaster management centre can be contacted on 0800 202 507.

- African Eye