Yesterday, FIREFIGHTERS rushed to Hochland Park, Windhoek after a fire destroyed three houses.
Raymond Kapia of City of Windhoek was the head of emergency management and disaster risk management. He said that the fire started near a river bed and spread to homes where it set fire to three thatch-roof homes.
“The riverbed near these houses was on fire before spreading to the properties. The fire was fuelled by flammable particles, which caused the damage,” said Kapia.
To reduce the spread of the fire, he urged residents living near riverbeds to clear at least three to five meters from the area.
Kapia stated that the fire brigade was able to extinguish the flames and clear out the smoke.
Marina Engelbrecht, one of the affected homeowners, said yesterday that she was at work when she received a phone call about her alarm going off.
“I thought it was burglars, but was later informed that it wasn’t buglers, but that my house was burning,” she said.
“By the time I got here, I found the fire brigade here putting out the fire already. The damage looks worse, but thank God they were here on time to extinguish the fire,” she said.
Engelbrecht said there was a car in the garage which could have caused more damage “but fortunately the fire didn’t reach it”.
She claimed that one bedroom was ruined.
“At least we are insured,” she said.
Jan, her husband, stated yesterday that he had been living in the house with his wife, Jan, and their two daughters, since 2001.
“No one was home. I also received a call to come home, and we are all aware of the incident,” he said.
Johan Oosthuizen, Engelbrecht’s neighbour, said: “I was home and heard the sound of the fire and saw it spreading. The thatched roof has burnt, but the fire only reached within one metre of the house and almost reached a tree next to the house,” Oosthuizen said.
Source: namibian
