Devastating fire still burning out of control in places

Writer De Waal Steyn

We were standing on our stoep welcoming in the new year when suddenly a red flare pierced the darkness. We all watched with bated breath as it floated down into the fynbos. It was as if we and all our neighbours were holding our collective breaths, when suddenly bright orange and red flames sprang up,” relates Betty’s Bay resident and founder of the Betty’s Bay Community Group, Elke Pittersberger.

“After my heart sank into my shoes, we all jumped into action and started liaising with the fire brigade to assist in trying to douse the rapidly-spreading fire. From the start, residents and visitors jumped in to assist where they could and, ever since, the firefighting efforts have become a community project,” says Elke.

As the various firefighting units from the Overstrand Municipality, the Greater Overstrand Fire Protection Association and other volunteer firefighting organisations hurried to the scene, community members jumped into action and started collecting donations of food, water and energy drinks for the men and woman fighting the blaze in the scorching heat.

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