Using fire trucks that looked as old as Grahamstown, smothering the fire with a rubber bush beater, three firefighters contained a fire off Robinson Street yesterday morning.
Using fire trucks that looked as old as Grahamstown, smothering the fire with a rubber bush beater, three firefighters contained a fire off Robinson Street yesterday morning.
“When we came it was a big flame, as high as me,” said one firefighter. But losing vegetation was the least of their worries.
To the right of the fire was a substation and to the left houses. The fire started at around 9am and was under control within an hour.
Strong easterly winds were an issue for firefighters as the blaze spread quickly while concerned
neighbouring residents lined the streets.
A platoon commander said the fire was probably caused by “carelessness,” but the specific cause had not yet been identified.
He said they could rule out natural causes because “it’s not hot enough”. He said these sorts of fires are generally caused by something as small as a cigarette butt or even someone dumping hot coals or garden refuse.
Angered residences said the site was often used by people to dispose of rubbish from nearby gardens.
