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A family from Cassandra in Kimberley has suffered a great loss in terms of property.
It is suspected that a veldfire engulfed part of their rental house on Wednesday (01/08) at around lunchtime.
The fire completely destroyed the lapa attached to the back of the house, as well as a part of the main house’s roofing.
The fire brigade arrived just in time to prevent the fire from spreading to the main house.
The flames in the veld, where the fire started, continued to spread viciously while the fire at the house was being extinguished.
According to residents in Cassandra, they do not carry any knowledge as to when the fire started, but they suspect that it might have been caused by a cigarette bud.
Police spokesperson Capt. Olebogeng Tawana said no injuries have been reported and that the cause of the fire is unknown.
A case of arson is being investigated by the police.
The owners of the house, the
Naidoo family, are reportedly living in Bloemfontein.
The house is under the supervision of a sister, Jasmine Hendrick, who frequently check on it on a weekly basis.
The tenants of the house smelled smoke around lunchtime.
According to the tenant, Martin Molutsi, he left with his wife at 11:45 and returned at 13:00. At that time there was still no sign of a fire in the veld.
Residents of Cassandra are concerned that this is the time of year when the grass is dry, making them vulnerable to such incidents.
The residents said they are all trying their best to prevent such harmful incidents through awareness programmes.
According to them they practise caution through the neighbourhoodwatch and alert each other for protection.
“There was an incident a few weeks ago where the grass near the canal was set alight, but we all worked together to extinguish it.
“But today was unfortunate as no one saw it coming, otherwise the fire would have been extinguished in time,” the neighbour said.
