House burning. Photo Sharon Welman
Another fire started around midday today at a thatched roof house in Canal Road on St Francis Bay’s canals (25 December 2012)
The fire at no 5 Canal Road burning. Photo: Richard Arderne
St Francis Bay firemen and the local disaster management team, including members of the NSRI were on the scene in minutes . They were able to prevent the fire from spreading by dousing the roofs of all the neighbouring houses. Also submersible pumps were promptly brought in and there were many fire hoses wetting roofs.
A fierce wind was blowing and this led to another house diagonally across the road to start burning in a small section on the thatch roof. At 1.30 pm it appeared that the fire crew had brought this fire under control . The holiday home unfortunately could not be saved and was severely gutted.
The house at No 5 was being rented by a Johannesburg couple and their Canadian friends. One of the occupants said the group was about to settle down to Christmas lunch when the fire started. They declined to have their names published in the press.
The six people in the house managed to escape before the blaze took over and some of the tourists managed to grab their passports.
The fire apparently started for no reason on the top floor, the occupants said. These vacationers have lost all their possessions.
Other photos will follow later.
* Watch a Video of the Christmas Day fire (25 December 2012):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okAa0qney3E
Also see related post:
See article on the November 2012 fire which destroyed 75 canal homes:
https://stfrancischronicle.com/2012/11/11/canals-are-burning/
See related post:
http://www.algoafm.co.za/article.aspx?id=4038
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St Francis Chronicle 
I watched the fire starting with huge flames. You almost feel helpless with no way to assist the burning house when you are trying to save your own property next from the fire. We need to get together and set a protocol to deal with such disasters. We need action tomorrow. we need short term rules. Where can we meet as a matter of urgency? We cannot have another episode like this in St Francis. We need to set rules for the short term until we have capacity to manage this. I will chair the meeting if no one is available to take the responsibility. Just watching a disaster happen is better than doing something about it before it hits you.
It is to our interest people of St Francis.
Let’s go!!!!
Excellent Work ! Despite some loss, this is the type of response called for in all emergencies aquiring attention! Well done!
Thank you so much!
I commend the rescue crews for their selfless assistance on a day they could have spent with their families! As beautiful as the thatch roofs are, as risky they are to life and belongings. Metrotile has a solution… their lightweight steel “Woodshake” roof tiles can be installed on top of the thatch, fitting in with the aesthetics of the Bay, whilst maintaining the ambiance of the thatch interior. They limit the fire risk and maintenance costs, and result in up to 30% decreased of insurance premiums.