Kranshoek witnesses fire from the front lines
The fire had reached full swing in Kranshoek by 12pm on Wednesday the 7th of June 2017, and with gale force winds pushing it on, the community could only watch in awe.
The sight of the fire on arrival was rather unnerving – just 100 meters away, with a valley in between. By 3pm community members had gathered along the edge of Kranshoek.
The fire was the largest any of them had ever witnessed – but not the first. Just 7 months before the community had experienced the wrath of a fire and once again they faced their fears.
The winds had picked up to around 120 kilometres per hour and luckily blowing in a north westerly direction. By 5pm the wind changed direction and travelled at a rapid pace directly towards the homes. As dark smoke began to fill the air, an evacuation vehicle arrived advising everyone to leave.
The fire came on strong and the direction changed, sending people running in fear through the smoke.
On Friday the 9th of June 2017, one would have expected to find the entire community displaced and houses burned to the ground.
However the houses within the community appeared unscathed, right up to the two houses standing on the frontline. The fire had even travelled past one and yet, there it stood.
This was due to the brave and clever thinking of home resident, Mirander Brower’s son, Aubrey Brower and a family friend, Duncan September. They didn’t have a hose pipe on hand, so they used two buckets and diligently wet the house and surrounding lawn until the fire passed – miraculously their house still stands.
The Kranshoek community was affected with several homes having been destroyed in the area. Kwanokuthula Phase 3 residents were placed on high alert – however, the fire in the area has since been brought under control and is currently manageable.
Kranshoek Gallery