Fire destroys livestock, house gutted

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Wildfires between Albertinia and Gouritsmond on 17 December destroyed 33 livestock and left 15 cattle with burn wounds.

A small home, three stores and a caravan also burnt down at Platbos at Arendsvlug.

The fire was reported at about 10:00 and 15 firefighters from the Garden Route District Municipality, a team from Working on Fire, Hessequa Fire, Farm Watch and farmers battled the flames throughout the night.

Station officer of Garden Route District Municipality's Fire and Rescue Services, Deon Stoffels, says the wildfire approached the property from opposite sides. Residents were then proactively moved to a safe space. A chopper managed to water bomb some of the structures and managed to save the main residence on the property. The cost of the damage must still be estimated.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Livestock burnt to death on the farm of Miller Horn, near Gouritsmond.