Mystery surrounds cause of blazes in Tarkastad
A Tarkastad shop and part of a bank in Tarkstad town burnt down on Friday morning.
The witnesses don’t know what might have caused the fire.One of the witnesses Sienie Niehaus said she has no knowledge of what caused the fire but by the time they got into the shop at 3.30am the fire had spread to the top part of the bank where there is a flat.
“We tried to call Enoch Mgijima local municipality firefighters but we were told that they are on strike. With the help of the local farmers who used their own equipment the fire was stopped before spreading to other shops,” she said.
Niehaus said local farmers came with their water tanks to fight the fire and by the time at Chris Hani District Municipality firefighters arrived at 7am the fire was already extinguished.
“The police were called but they could not do anything as the fire was too strong. It is terrible living in Tarkastad as there are no services, there is no fire-engine and nothing happens here,” she said.
She said some parts of the bank were lucky as the fire spread from the shop to the flats on the second floor.Another witness Nomthandazo Nunwana said she was at her house when she heard a noise which sounded like gunshots.
“I phoned the police but when I got out I noticed a huge smoke coming out of the bank and I went straight to see and called the neighbours. The community working together with the local farmers did their best in controlling the fire,” she said.
Nunwana said it could have been worse if the local farmers did not come.“Next to the bank, there’s a funeral parlour and containers. Had they failed to stop the fire, it would have caused more damage,” she said.
She said the strike has affected the services in Tarkastad.Enoch Mgijima local municipality Samwu secretary Thabo Ngwane said the fire had nothing to do with Samwu.
Cradock police spokesperson captain Lariane Jonker said Tarkastad police have opened an inquiry after buildings burned in Tarkastad.
“During the early hours on Friday, members on patrol in Tarkastad noticed a building which was on fire. The Dean Ryan Supermarket and FNB were damaged during the fire.
No foul play is suspected and the scene will be visited by a fire expert to determine the cause of the fire,” she said.
Ward councillor Bonile Ngesi said he called the CHDM control room at 4am but the phone was answered at 6.45am.Enoch Mgijima local municipality spokesperson Fundile Feketshane and CHDM spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa did not respond to the question sent to them by Daily Dispatch...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
This article is reserved for DispatchLIVE subscribers.
Get access to ALL DispatchLIVE content from only R49.00 per month.
Already subscribed? Simply sign in below.
Already registered on HeraldLIVE, BusinessLIVE, TimesLIVE or SowetanLIVE? Sign in with the same details.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@dispatchlive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.