Fire rages through Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay was left in shock on Tuesday the 28th of February 2017, as a raging fire swept through the Wittedrift area.
Residents had to evacuate their homes and stood helplessly wondering if they would have homes to go back to.
The fire originally broke out on Friday, on the Old Plett Timbers property in Wittedrift, but was declared contained by Monday. However the raising temperatures and windy conditions caused the fire to flare up again around 11am on Tuesday and by 2pm it had soared completely out of control.
Stephen Ritky a member of Plett South Fire Management Unit explained that the property where the fire had broken out had been a concern as there were large quantities of wood shavings in the area. He added that firefighters battled to completely put the fire out as it continued to burn below the surface with little smoke visible.
According to members of local fire support groups, by 7pm at least three homes had been raised and several residents evacuated in the area. By 8pm stores at the Old Nick complex had to be evacuated.
The community of Plettenberg Bay has – as always – rushed to the aid of those in need! Firefighters and volunteers have been working around the clock to save lives and property, from Harkerville to Ebenezer, through the Indalo Conservency, and down towards town behind Old Nick Village and Formosa Garden Village. There is now an urgent need for funds to repair volunteer vehicles and equipment damaged in the fire fighting operations.
If you would like to help or donate, please deposit into this account with the reference PlettFire:
Account Name: Plett Tourism
FNB │Branch Code: 250655
Account Number: 62520118854
Thank you to all the firefighters and volunteers who have fought long and tirelessly to subdue the fire.
Plettenberg Bay Fire Gallery