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14 July 2023
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Popular South African West Coast seafood restaurant Muisbosskerm gutted in early morning fire
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Muisbosskerm, a popular open-air seafood restaurant in Lamberts Bay on the West Coast in the Western Cape, caught fire early Friday morning, 7 July 2023. CFO Bertus Senekal, chief fire officer at the West Coast District Municipality, said officers who responded to the incident reported that almost half of the structure was "fully engulfed in flames" on their arrival, with the "part built from organic material" most affected.
CFO Senekal said, “The call was received at 03h28. On arrival it was found that the fire mostly burned itself out. The walls of the structure were constructed from dry bushes that burnt fairly quickly. The kitchen area as well as half of the dining area was totally destroyed. The owner and members of the public present tried to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers.”
He added, “The personnel and vehicles responded from Clanwilliam Fire Station to Lamberts Bay where the Muisbosskerm is located. Three vehicles were dispatched: one officer’s vehicle and two fire fighting vehicles with a total number of four personnel. It took 38 minutes for the first vehicle to arrive on scene. From Clanwilliam to Lamberts Bay it is about 75km”
“The Fire Department proceeded to extinguish the visible flames as well as burning embers with three hose reels as well as stopping the spread of the fire to the main structure. After the fire was completely extinguished the crews started with damping down and mopping up of the area to ensure there were no more visible flames or any smouldering embers on scene that could re-ignite”, said CFO Senekal.
Crews started working at 04h09 and declared the area safe at 06h43.
“The biggest challenge was the distance to be travelled to the incident and the wind blowing around embers that could have ignited portions of the structure not yet involved in the fire” said CFO Senekal.
Some of the structure remains intact. No injuries were reported and damages are estimated at R 500 000.
CFO Senekal said the cause of the fire was still being investigated but authorities suspect an electrical fault following a function at the restaurant on Thursday night.
Muisbosskerm co-owner Charlotte Turner said about half of the restaurant had sustained damage. "We are extremely shocked. We're devastated. But we are very determined to rebuild as soon as possible," she said, adding that the business would be closed this weekend.
Source: CFO Bertus Senekal, chief fire officer, West Coast District Municipality; News24
CFO Senekal said, “The call was received at 03h28. On arrival it was found that the fire mostly burned itself out. The walls of the structure were constructed from dry bushes that burnt fairly quickly. The kitchen area as well as half of the dining area was totally destroyed. The owner and members of the public present tried to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers.”
He added, “The personnel and vehicles responded from Clanwilliam Fire Station to Lamberts Bay where the Muisbosskerm is located. Three vehicles were dispatched: one officer’s vehicle and two fire fighting vehicles with a total number of four personnel. It took 38 minutes for the first vehicle to arrive on scene. From Clanwilliam to Lamberts Bay it is about 75km”
“The Fire Department proceeded to extinguish the visible flames as well as burning embers with three hose reels as well as stopping the spread of the fire to the main structure. After the fire was completely extinguished the crews started with damping down and mopping up of the area to ensure there were no more visible flames or any smouldering embers on scene that could re-ignite”, said CFO Senekal.
Crews started working at 04h09 and declared the area safe at 06h43.
“The biggest challenge was the distance to be travelled to the incident and the wind blowing around embers that could have ignited portions of the structure not yet involved in the fire” said CFO Senekal.
Some of the structure remains intact. No injuries were reported and damages are estimated at R 500 000.
CFO Senekal said the cause of the fire was still being investigated but authorities suspect an electrical fault following a function at the restaurant on Thursday night.
Muisbosskerm co-owner Charlotte Turner said about half of the restaurant had sustained damage. "We are extremely shocked. We're devastated. But we are very determined to rebuild as soon as possible," she said, adding that the business would be closed this weekend.
Source: CFO Bertus Senekal, chief fire officer, West Coast District Municipality; News24
