Update
HESSEQUA NEWS - An air force Oryx helicopter, a Huey helicopter from Ugie as well as two fixed wing bombers from Nelspruit were set to arrive in Vermaaklikheid at first light today, 24 October, to fight the blaze that has seen seven properties razed to the ground.
By last night the fire in Vermaaklikheid was out of control and air support was called in for today. Late yesterday a lone helicopter pilot was doing his utmost to protect homes in the line of fire, as the other chopper crashed at about 09:45 yesterday morning claiming the life of firefighting ace, Nico Heyns.
By this morning no reports of loss of property during the night were received. Reinard Geldenhuys, fire chief of the Overberg District Municipality, who is the coordinator of the firefighting effort, is expected to give an update regarding the fire and the way forward at about 11:00 today.
Fresh ground teams are being deployed and Geldenhuys will have a clearer picture by then as temperature and wind speed and direction obviously impact their methodology.
The fire started on Sunday and is believed to have been caused by a spark from an electricity pole that fell over in the strong wind.
Many of the homes that were gutted are on the banks of the Duiwenhoksrivier that flows through Vermaaklikheid – the main reason for the popularity of this secluded holiday resort.
An update will follow as soon as Geldenhuys releases his statement.
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