Thank you to readers for all your comments

” which must be monitored be put in place, and enforced.The high risk of living in a ‘Thatch Roofed’ housing complex is much greater than living in the normal building standard type.People must be made aware of the dangers, and the necessary fire fighthing equipment installed in every home,and where it can be made quickly available in times of emergency. To have a braai when there are strong winds blowing is definetly out of the question, especially outdoors. I hope those homes which are still standing will secure safe their braai areas to prevent a future disaster which may easily occur.Reply ?
James on November 12, 2012 at 9:17 am said: Edit
It is a miracle that no one was seriously injured or  killed………

Reply ?
JC Lesch on November 12, 2012 at 9:22 am said: 
Just plz rebuild with proper roofs! this happend in Hermanus years ago as well and they changed the building law (thatch) shame on the developers! Very Sad terrible!

Reply ?
Tracey Wild on November 12, 2012 at 10:09 am said: Edit
My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this disaster.

Reply ?
letitia on November 12, 2012 at 10:38 am said: Edit
Were the people able to save most of the animals during the  fire?

Reply ?
Lizel on November 12, 2012 at 10:04 pm said: Edit
This is really so sad, to loose everything you have worked 

for. My heart goes out to all those familys affected by the 

fire. I own a home with my husband and 2kids, and the amount 

of work time and effort that you put in to make your house a 

home and then have to watch it go down in flames! Wow that 

must be really hard to get through.

Reply ?
comedy89 on November 13, 2012 at 8:51 am said: Edit
This is really bad. What should we do to help them?

Jose Mclean on November 12, 2012 at 6:20 am said: Edit
its so sad to see that those houses burnt down. I pray for 

those that lost there stuff in the fire. Even for those who 

lost there houses. Its a good thing that PE and Uitehage’s 

firefighters came to help. May God be with you. Strong.

Reply ?
rosfromscratch on November 12, 2012 at 7:06 am said: Edit
Reblogged this on rosfromscratch and commented:
They are talking about 120 homes that were affected by the 

fire … absolute devastastion – avg cost R3.5mill per house. 

Some up to R18 mill in value

Reply ?
Bernalene on November 12, 2012 at 8:44 am said: Edit
Utter devastation beyond comprehension! Today, new 

beginning, new planning, new appreciation.

Reply ?
Nicky Blume on November 12, 2012 at 9:17 am said: Edit
Charlie and Julie Nortje would like to thank everyone for 

the help and messages during this devastating time. It is 

amazing to see how the people of St Francis stand together 

in time of crisis and they would like everyone to know how 

gratefull they are.

Hennie la Grange on November 11, 2012 at 8:03 pm said: Edit
What a terrible tragedy

Reply ?
Jane on November 11, 2012 at 8:06 pm said: Edit
Any details to how many houses are burnt yet?

Reply ?
rosfromscratch on November 11, 2012 at 8:09 pm said: Edit
Reblogged this on rosfromscratch and commented:
Please pray for these people that stay in St Francis. It 

really is bad – and the wind is still pumping!!

Reply ?
DANIE VIVIERS – FIRE FIGHTER AT FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES 

PORT ELIZABETH on November 11, 2012 at 8:16 pm said: Edit
IS THERE ENOUGH FIREMAN TO ASSIST IN FIGHTING THE FIRE –

Reply ?
Michelle on November 11, 2012 at 8:20 pm said: Edit
Our thoughts and prayers are with the St Francis Community….

Reply ?
Steve on November 11, 2012 at 8:23 pm said: Edit
Poor people!! feel readlly sad for all the families 

involved!! thinking of you all!

Reply ?
Jonathan Smith on November 11, 2012 at 8:24 pm said: Edit
What a catastrophe, very very sad for those whose lost their 

homes, hope no one or any animals injured.
But why no municipal hydrants, surely municipality would 

have action plan for such an event in an area where majority 

of homes have thatched roofs?

Reply ?
irill hymphrey van niekerk on November 11, 2012 at 8:31 pm 

said: Edit
Dear God please let the wind subside so that the 

Firefighters can do their job and put out the fires. The 

flooding was bad enough, now to be hit by fire. Please pray 

for every body who is in volved in this disaster.

Reply ?
Burnie Sallgren on November 11, 2012 at 8:31 pm said: Edit
This is tragice…

Reply ?
nicky read on November 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm said: Edit
this is devastating!! I’m surprised that there is not a 

proper fire station in the area, with all these thatch 

roofed houses!! 50 house so far…

Reply ?
Niv Viljoen on November 11, 2012 at 8:39 pm said: Edit
nic.v2@vodamail.co.za

Reply ?
Niv Viljoen on November 11, 2012 at 8:41 pm said: Edit
Please give info Praslin Reach .Is there any danger?

Reply ?
Lombaards family on November 11, 2012 at 8:40 pm said: Edit
Praying for St Francis after one tough 2012. Xx

Reply ?
Kevin Pitout. on November 11, 2012 at 8:43 pm said: Edit
So Tragic. As a young family we spent every available spare 

moment at our holiday home at St. Francis.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all .
The Pitouts

Reply ?
Niv Viljoen on November 11, 2012 at 8:44 pm said: Edit
Want info re Praslin Reach

please

Reply ?
peter eck on November 11, 2012 at 8:50 pm said: Edit
lets pray for the safety of the people and pets.

Reply ?
Sylvia van Heerden on November 11, 2012 at 8:54 pm said: 

Edit
We can offer shelther for tonight for people who need a 

place to sleep.Sylvia and Ronnie van Heerden Jamaican Palms, 

Marina Martinique. 0761526013

Reply ?
Dawie on November 11, 2012 at 8:55 pm said: Edit
To see a video of the fire, please go here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3hDEfH1vcU

Reply ?
Pingback: Fire St Francis Bay.Edit

Joan Reid on November 11, 2012 at 9:00 pm said: Edit
House available in Cape St Francis if anyone needing 

accommodation.

Reply ?
Jason on November 11, 2012 at 9:03 pm said: Edit
Whoa! Those flames look huge! Sorry to hear about this… 

strength to all the guys trying to fight the fires.

Reply ?
Pieter Uys on November 11, 2012 at 9:12 pm said: Edit
Genade! Sterkte mense – wens ons was daar om te help. Is in 

Johannesburg en het eiendom daar. Liefde Pieter en Adri Uys

Reply ?
LightSpirit on November 11, 2012 at 9:15 pm said: Edit
Love Light & Strength to the People of St Francis Bay
Namaste

Reply ?
Pingback: Huge fire engulfs St Francis Bay | All ZA NewsEdit

jp on November 11, 2012 at 9:16 pm said: Edit
Hou ons ophoogte asb , ons gebede gaan uit na julle mense in 

St Francis. Wens ons kon kom help het, maar omstandighede 

laat dit nie toe nie, sterk wees mense. God is by julle.

Reply ?
Mariette de lange on November 12, 2012 at 8:01 am said: Edit
ek het nie woorde net othou God is in beheer al lyk dit nie 

altyd so.STERKTE AAN ALMAL GOD IS ONS KRAG .MY GEBEDE MET 

JULLE On 12 Nov 2012 07:16, “St Francis Chronicle” wrote: > 

> jp commented: “Hou ons ophoogte asb , ons gebede gaan uit 

na julle mense in St Francis. Wens ons kon kom help het, 

maar omstandighede laat dit nie toe nie, sterk wees mense. 

God is by julle.” >

Reply ?
Hester Gerber on November 11, 2012 at 9:17 pm said: Edit
Our thoughts and Huge prayers are with the residents of St 

Francis Bay

Reply ?
Cunliffe on November 11, 2012 at 9:36 pm said: Edit
Our thoughts and prayeswith you all and our heartfelt thanks 

and gratitude to all who have assisted through the very 

tough time.
Peter and Tisha Cunliffe and family

Reply ?
joey on November 11, 2012 at 9:37 pm said: Edit
So heartbroken. May God be wiith each family

Reply ?
Joan Brady on November 11, 2012 at 9:39 pm said: Edit
Can anyone tell me if houses on Mahe Beat have been 

affected?

Reply ?
virginia on November 11, 2012 at 9:40 pm said: Edit
Let the country pray for these poor people! Dear God please 

help them!

Reply ?
anna kriel on November 11, 2012 at 9:47 pm said: Edit
All we can do is pray for all the people and their families 

in St Francis and their great losses. We pray that the fire 

will stop and there will not be casualties due to the fire. 

God Bless to all the volunteers and all the people affected 

by this great disaster.

Reply ?
Jessica on November 11, 2012 at 9:52 pm said: Edit
Hi there,

Is there any more help needed at this time?

Reply ?
margie clarke on November 11, 2012 at 9:57 pm said: Edit
We had a huge veld fire 2 february 2006 in gansbaai. 

Grootbos 2 burnt down! Fire burnt right behind my house, but 

hardworking hero firemen where able to bring it under 

control. I still remember how terrified i was. My haertfelt 

sympathy to everybody who has lost their homes! May god be 

with you all and keep everybody safe. Things can be replaced 

but lives never!

Reply ?
Ronel Venter on November 11, 2012 at 9:58 pm said: Edit
Looking on from our house in JBay … just teriible to even 

think of StFrancis people agony: we are praying for safety 

and RAIN, and the wind to lie down. God bless all. Albert & 

Ronel Venter

Reply ?
Mike on November 11, 2012 at 9:59 pm said: Edit
Thanks for the news flash – first I’ve heard of it.
My condolences to all who lost property – and I really hope 

everyone is safe!

Reply ?
Chez on November 11, 2012 at 9:59 pm said: Edit
Oh my word I can’t believe it. My uncle owned a house on the 

canals and we spent a lot of our childhood there. I feel 

like I am watching a piece of my life burning – my heart 

goes out to everyone who has lost their houses, to the 

animals, to everyone involved.

Reply ?
danie on November 11, 2012 at 10:00 pm said: Edit
Dit is erg ons gebede gaan uit vir die mense

Reply ?
Tertius on November 11, 2012 at 10:02 pm said: Edit
May all the victims find peace…you’re in our prayers, we 

feel so deeply for your loss!

Reply ?
C Botha on November 11, 2012 at 10:06 pm said: Edit
TERRIBLE! We so enjoyed our vacation at the Royal Wharf 

earlier this year. What a mess and damage! Are the people 

ok?

Reply ?
Pingback: VIDEO OF ST. FRANCIS BAY FIRES. 11/11/12 « 

Flipshizzle!Edit

natalene visser on November 11, 2012 at 10:12 pm said: Edit
Ek is so jammer om dit te moet aanskou. Het vir die afgelope 

drie jaar by die Royal Wharf
vakansie gehou. Baie sterkte vir almal wat skade ly. Die 

ergste is dat dit kort voor baie mense
se welverdiende ruskansie gebeur. Mag die Here met julle 

wees.

Reply ?
Pingback: PE responds to burning St Francis SOS | All ZA 

NewsEdit

raj sivsaran on November 11, 2012 at 10:19 pm said: Edit
Hope everyone is safe.

Reply ?
mariette on November 11, 2012 at 10:24 pm said: Edit
Ons almal bid dink aan die mense wat alles verloor het en ek 

hoop nie daar is ernstige beserings van diere en mense want 

dit is die goed in die lewe wat nie vervang kan word.Ons bid 

en sterkte hou ons op hoogte asb

Reply ?
Kendell van Tonder on November 11, 2012 at 10:26 pm said: 

Edit
Our hearts go out to St Francis Bay! God be with you all!

Reply ?
Peter Burke on November 11, 2012 at 10:33 pm said: Edit
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at St Francis 

Bay.
The Burke Family

Reply ?
julieta cruz on November 11, 2012 at 11:33 pm said: Edit
we pray for everybody in St Francis and sending angels for 

our friends.I am very sorry to hear this horrible news .

Reply ?
Mariehet on November 11, 2012 at 11:00 pm said: Edit
Father i pray for those people, animals that You will 

intervene and resque those area, i pray that You wake up 

people out of theïr slumber and turb only to You, in Jesus 

Name i pray, amen en amen

Reply ?
ninarie on November 11, 2012 at 11:06 pm said: Edit
Wie kan my dalk se of hulle weet of die royal wharf 

heeltemal afgebrand is? Mag al die mense beskerm word in die 

tyd van nood! En mag niemand seer kry nie…

Reply ?
Elize en Kallie Knoetz on November 11, 2012 at 11:08 pm 

said: Edit
Dit is te verskriklik! Ons innige simpatie en ons gebede is 

met die huiseienaars en almal wie verlIese het. Ons bid dat 

die vure geblus sal word, sterkte!

Reply ?
Kathy O’Riordan Heard on November 11, 2012 at 11:23 pm said: 

Edit
What an awful disaster. We are praying for you! Richard and 

Kathy Heard. x

Reply ?
Nikki on November 11, 2012 at 11:32 pm said: Edit
This is terrible. At least it has not happened during peak 

holiday time.

Reply ?
Tanya and Van Schalkwyk family on November 11, 2012 at 11:39 

pm said: Edit
Our thoughts and prayers go to those in this situation…. And 

pray that all be safe…. May God bless u St Francis Bay….

Reply ?
Dillon Lerm Full Join II on November 12, 2012 at 12:10 am 

said: Edit
My hart gaan uit na elke familie wat deur hierdie ramp 

getref word…….

Reply ?
Johan on November 12, 2012 at 12:18 am said: Edit
Dis so hartseer

Reply ?
Dora on November 12, 2012 at 12:38 am said: Edit
Hoop almal is veilig!

Reply ?
Claude Gerard on November 12, 2012 at 12:40 am said: Edit
One of the most beautiful place in South Africa.My thoughts 

and prayers go to those who lost their houses and hope that 

everyone is safe.

Reply ?
Gavin Milburn on November 12, 2012 at 12:46 am said: Edit
As a builder I am shocked that Council Planning Permission 

was given to build over 50 thatched roof houses in an area 

without adequate fire protection. Every house should have 

been equipped with a fire hose on a 50 meter reel PLUS at 

least 4 fully serviced fire extinguishers. All equipment 

should be inspected annually by the local fire 

department…..This is an absolute tragedy, and the local 

authorities should be held responsible.

Reply ?
Philip Immelman, Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada E-mail: 

phildaph@telus.net on November 12, 2012 at 12:48 am said: 

Edit
The people of Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada are thinking of 

you and praying for you. We know what you are going through 

and still have to go through. We lost 700 houses in our 

small community in a forrest wild fire 18 months ago. We are 

still rebuilding our lives and our homes

Reply ?
Deborah Donnelly on November 12, 2012 at 12:49 am said: Edit
I cannot sleep worrying about everyone there. Please God, no 

loss of life. Please. My prayers to you all. I would have 

offered my home as a refuge, like a flash, but have tenants 

there.

Reply ?
Rainer Halbich on November 12, 2012 at 6:35 am said: Edit
I am shocked! We had our matric holiday in one of these 

houses. I am 60% sure that house burnt down. This is not 

nice at all!

Reply ?
Alec on November 12, 2012 at 7:01 am said: Edit
I am costantly praying for all that have suffered losses. 

May God bring inner peace to you. I am so terribly sorry for 

this disaster that has consumed such pretty village.

Reply ?
Ray Blignaut on November 12, 2012 at 7:10 am said: Edit
OIts about time the municipality realises that thatch and 

wind do not go together with wood and charcoal braai’s. Ban 

them and insist on gas !

Reply ?
karen larkin on November 12, 2012 at 7:37 am said: Edit
We, At Jeffreys Bay offer our prayers, condolences and 

heartfelt sympathy to all our wonderful neighbours during 

this devastating time of loss. May God give you all courage, 

strength and comfort. We are praying for you all and all the 

firefighters, volunteers and pets.

Reply ?
Pingback: Ruined ghost town on the canals « St Francis 

ChronicleEdit

Tanya Streso Labuschagne on November 12, 2012 at 7:56 am 

said: Edit
Dit is verskriklik!! Ons hart gaan uit na al die families 

wat hul eiendomme en als verloor het. Ons dink aan julle en 

jul is in ons gebede. Wens ons was daar om te help. My ouers 

bly in Humansdorp so ons gaan elke jaar st francis toe.

Reply ?
Mike on November 12, 2012 at 9:06 am said: Edit
Yes it is a great loss and thank God there do not seem to 

have been any fatalities. Looking on the positive side, I am 

sure that it will be rebuilt bigger and better than before, 

and you guys will be getting a fire station and a lot of new 

steel roofed houses. My thoughts and prayers with you all.

Reply ?
Hennie en Marian Muller on November 12, 2012 at 9:45 am 

said: Edit
Wat n tragedie. Ons harte gaan uit na julle.

Reply ?
Karin Pretorius on November 12, 2012 at 9:48 am said: Edit
So hartseer, ons huis is een van die wat afgebrand het, 

soveel lekker memories, nou soveel hartseer. Sterkte vir 

almal wat hierdeur geraak word.

Reply ?
Jacques on November 12, 2012 at 2:29 pm said: Edit
Het enige iemand al die nuutste nuus? Is enige mens of diere 

beseer/dood?

Reply ?
sfchronicle on November 12, 2012 at 3:28 pm said: Edit
No one died thankfully. a few minor injuries by some hoo 

tried to put out fires.
See updates at: https://stfrancischronicle.com/

Reply ?
Andre Bolton on November 12, 2012 at 2:41 pm said: Edit
it is time that legislation be passed that all homes with 

thatch have a sprinkler system on and inside the roof.

Reply ?
Stourbridge Lion on November 12, 2012 at 5:54 pm said: Edit
So sorry the read this new… 

Reply ?
cathy on November 12, 2012 at 8:17 pm said: Edit
I am realy sorry what happend to the poeple at St Frances 

Bay we al wil pray with the poeple

Reply ?
elizabeth warner on November 12, 2012 at 10:48 pm said: Edit
i am really sorry what happend to this people in our prayers

Clive Rabie on November 11, 2012 at 10:20 pm said: Edit
We have accommodation for 12 people in need,contact Clive or 

Heather Rabie(0824403004).

Reply ?
CLIVE & HEATHER RABIE on November 11, 2012 at 10:22 pm said: 

Edit
We have accommodation for anybody in need,contact Clive or 

Heather Rabie(0824403004).

Reply ?
gert on November 11, 2012 at 10:27 pm said: Edit
tragies

Reply ?
desireedippenaar on November 11, 2012 at 11:56 pm said: Edit
Heartbreaking!!!! Thoughts and prayers with you all!

Reply ?
teresa jacobs on November 12, 2012 at 12:03 am said: Edit
so hartseer ons bid saam julle

Reply ?
Tim Kelly on November 12, 2012 at 12:20 am said: Edit
Any update on shore road?

Reply ?
Rose McClement on November 12, 2012 at 12:21 am said: Edit
I feel so sad and so sick into the pit of my stomach. 

Strength to every person there. A day never to be forgotten 

in the history book of St Francis Bay.

Reply ?
sfchronicle on November 12, 2012 at 1:14 am said: Edit
The fire has left us most of us numb, but the amazing thing 

is that there is so much love and care for others coming out 

of this.. people opening up their homes to accommodate the 

homeless.etc

Reply ?
Regan Verwey on November 12, 2012 at 3:36 am said: Edit
So pleased to hear that some of our friends homes and 

businesses are still standing. Thinking of Peri and Melina 

as well as Garth and family. Despite the ruin, so pleased to 

see the community standing together and supporting one 

another. Sending love from the Gold Coast of Australia to 

everyone in St Francis Bay.

Reply ?
Karen van Rensburg on November 12, 2012 at 4:49 am said: 

Edit
you are all in our prayers and thoughts…all the way from 

Vietnam

Reply ?
Sandy Coughlan on November 12, 2012 at 5:51 am said: Edit
Thinking of everyone at St Francis Bay . . . . . feel so 

absolutely helpless!
Sandy Coughlan, Shaka’s Rock

Reply ?
Esme Welman on November 12, 2012 at 6:45 am said: Edit
Bless all those wonderful and brave firefighters and many 

helpers who tried so hard against the powerful wind and to 

all those who kept St Francis Bay in their prayers. Words 

cannot describe how we all feel, A great sense of loss to 

our beautiful canal homes. We ask God to be with those 

folks, and thank you that we live in a community of caring 

and loving people. Esme and Jim

Reply ?
Chez on November 12, 2012 at 7:23 am said: Edit
Is that map accurate? Are there any homes damaged on Mahe
Beat?

Reply ?
NG on November 12, 2012 at 7:27 am said: Edit
Floods, roads washed away, bridge was washed away twice and 

now a terrible Fire
How much more disasters must this community endure ?
The local businesses have suffered all year, they need a 

good and busy festive season !

Let there be light at the end of this long dark tunnel !

Reply ?
Renee Cowling on November 12, 2012 at 7:29 am said: Edit
Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in St Francis. 

Glen and Ren Cowling

Reply ?
Gert & Anneke Elbertse on November 12, 2012 at 7:52 am said: 

Edit
Heartbreaking to see this great lost for so many people in 

our village, locals, swallows, visitors, home-owners from 

elsewhere in SA, it doesn’t matter. Everyone is affected by 

this terrible big fire. Thanks to all the firemen/fighters, 

we know from 2010 how hard they work and fight. For sure 

everyone knows here what the next question will be again: A 

proper firestation with all in it?

Reply ?
Lesley Page on November 12, 2012 at 8:19 am said: Edit
Accommodation for 4 available at St Francis Court. Call 

Lesley on 0832736890.

Reply ?
Jess on November 12, 2012 at 8:22 am said: Edit
Thank you to all the volunteers and firefighters who worked 

tirelessly to try and save the canals. I am so grateful to 

you all

Reply ?
Neale on November 12, 2012 at 8:50 am said: Edit
Map not 100% – not all houses in Beavallon Place burnt – 

thankfully.

Reply ?
Lombard Delport on November 12, 2012 at 9:12 am said: Edit
Thanx for the map! That puts the extent of the inferno in 

perspective. Any more updates on the map yet? We are 

devastated about this too…

Reply ?
MariS on November 12, 2012 at 9:42 am said: Edit
My heart go out to all these people. Two years ago I went 

through the same and it is devastating, the most helpless 

feeling! Amasing to read the support and help offered to 

them.

Reply ?
Mike Heys on November 12, 2012 at 10:59 am said: Edit
Have the houses on Poivre Crescent been affected? Mike

Reply ?
Leon on November 12, 2012 at 3:05 pm said: Edit
Please spread the Facebook page of the fire: 

http://www.facebook.com/Stfrancisfireinfo where help can be 

offered or requested, and photos posted.

Reply ?

MARY ANN MULLER on November 12, 2012 at 9:53 pm said: Edit
i just want to say that i am praying for your town and it’s 

people it is so sad to see so many people without homes. if 

we have any clothes we would like to donate where can we 

deliver it to or drop it off at.
mary ann muller

Reply ?
sfchronicle on November 12, 2012 at 9:55 pm said: Edit
Phone the SFB golf Club on 042 294 0467.. they will assist 

you with any donations. Thanks

Reply ?
Brandon on November 13, 2012 at 4:20 pm said: Edit
What about the two tractors and tankers that arived and 

helped alot with the amount of water they put out and all 

the way from Jeffreys Bay

Clifton on November 12, 2012 at 10:34 pm said: Edit
It may be the time for SFB to consider banning construction 

of thatch roofs. The concentration of thatch in a small area 

is an ever increasing fire disaster.

 

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