Black Hawk fights to contain fire in Richards Bay. Image: Henning de Wet/Facebook
UPDATE: Aerial firefighting begins to contain Richards Bay fire
UMhlathuze Municipality has said there is no reason to evacuate Richards Bay resident as firefighter work to contain the blaze.
Black Hawk fights to contain fire in Richards Bay. Image: Henning de Wet/Facebook
As far as the eye can see, white clouds of smoke cover the skyline in Richards Bay as a fire billows on at NCT Woodchip Mill.
FIRE FIGHTING EXFFORTS EXPANDED
ALSO READ: FIRE tears through Richards Bay wood company
The blazing inferno was sparked midday on Saturday, and proved too much for the City’s firefighters as firefighters from Mondi Fire Services, Bell Equipment, Transnet Fire Services, South32, RBM, Foskor and other private companies have been brought in to assist.
ALSO READ: Here are the damages in the aftermath of Mabalingwe Nature Reserve FIRES
As of Monday morning, aerial efforts have begun in an attempt to completely extinguish the blaze.
An SR2 plane from Zululand Fire Protection has commence dousing the fiery stockpile with 1800liters of fire foam, while its awaits for two additional helicopters to arrive, one of which will be coming from Nelspruit.
On Sunday, strong winds doused all but added fuel to the fire as the fire spread into neighbouring residential area, luckily the fire was contained before any serious damage to property had occurred.
ALSO READ: Devastating fire at illegal fuel depot in Benin claims 34 lives
CAUSE STILL UNKNOWN
Speaking the Zululand Observer, NCT General Manager Danny Knoesen says that they still do not know where or how the fire started.
Access into and out the City via the John Ross Highway will be closed as aerial attempts continue.
ALSO READ: Visitors EVACUATED due to wildfire in Mabalingwe Game Reserve
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea), Siboniso Duma says that this incident has revealed the need to intensify municipal fire fighting efforts.
According to IOL, Duma says that Cogta must come together with a district municipality to augment local fire-fighting initiatives.
