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25 October 2024
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Fire guts seven homes in Kosmos, more damaged, Hartebeespoort Dam
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Seven homes were destroyed and more damaged during a devastating fire that ripped through Kosmos Village in Hartbeespoort on Sunday, 20 October 2024. Emergency services were still on the scene on Monday morning dousing the smouldering embers in thatched roofs while shocked Kosmos residents strolled along the streets to assess the damage. “It’s gone, it is all gone…” Kosmos resident Daniella Howis burst into tears when she saw her gutted home for the first time on Monday morning. Howis was in Switzerland when the fire started on Sunday and immediately flew back. Even the stairs to their property house had burned down and they had to climb up a ladder to reach the family’s home.
“We smelled smoke and heard the fire and when I got outside to see what was happening; the neighbour’s roof was on fire. I tried from our side to douse the flames with a hose but it became so hot that I had to move away,” said Jimmy van Niekerk, a tenant who lived on one of the properties that were gutted. “The flames jumped over to our side and the main house went up in flames. We climbed over the roof to the other neighbours to escape the flames. Luckily the wind turned and we could get back to the flats where we live on the property. Emergency services were on scene by then and prevented the fire from reaching the flats,” he said.
The fire started at the boat houses on the Hartbeespoort Dam shore shortly before 12h00 on Sunday and due to the strong wind, quickly spread to neighbouring houses with thatched roofs.
The NSRI reported that three rescue crafts from the NSRI and Strategic Rescue Unit (SRU), accompanied by firefighting SKEDs, hoses and water pumps, were deployed to fight the fire.
"Our rescue craft arrived on shore within seven minutes of the first call where we were joined by HEMS Fire and Rescue services and HEMS ambulance services, and together immediately their fire engines, firefighting equipment and our water pumps and firefighting equipment were deployed." NSRI Hartbeespoort and SRU -Strategic Rescue Unit boats with hoses and water pumps reached Kosmos within minutes. According to the NSRI Hartbeespoort, at least four houses and a number of structures were ablaze. They were joined by Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service’s (HEMS) fire unit, Madibeng Fire and Rescue, NECSA Emergency Services, Afriforum’s fire unit and security companies.
NSRI added, “A local man, who owns a helicopter company, launched a helicopter with a firefighting bucket, during the afternoon, and doused flames from multiple aerial approaches. He is commended for his efforts that together with the immense emergency fire fighting efforts, contributed to containing the fire. A rain storm during the afternoon gave us a brief window of opportunity to concentrate on dousing flames inside homes and structures. Local residents using their garden hoses assisted.”
The helicopter from National Airways Corporation (NAC) at Lanseria joined firefighters around 14h30 on Sunday water-bombing the flames.
Firefighters used water from fire trucks and mostly swimming pools as water pressure in the fire hydrants was low. Emergency workers worked until sunrise on Monday to get the fire under control. Madibeng Fire and Rescue stayed on the scene on Monday to douse the still smouldering thatch.
“Firefighters worked tirelessly to protect properties adjacent to burning homes. Our fire crew quickly devised a strategy to utilise water from nearby swimming pools to help extinguish the flames,” said Leandre Spies, spokesperson for HEMS.
“The situation was challenging, as the fire extended to multiple homes, causing significant damage. Our hearts go out to the affected residents. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, a testament to the effective coordination and rapid response of all agencies involved.”
Afriforum Hartbeespoort said the emergency operation was a phenomenal team effort. “The cooperation between the different services ensured that the fire didn’t spread further. We want to thank all the firefighting teams for their hard work and dedication. You not only saved properties but also lives,” said Riaan Britz.
The NSRI said the swift response of all involved, including those who helped with clearing houses of furniture and personal possessions and the evacuation of residents, their children and pets, is to be commended. “No loss of life to residents, their pets and emergency services were incurred and only minor injuries were attended to during the afternoon. We commend everyone involved and all thoughts care and compassion are with those who were affected.”
“The fire was devastating but we are just so thankful that no people or animals were harmed. A cat was missing but returned home this morning,” said Ursula Marler of Kosmos Village Association (DVA). “The community came together like one to help each other. Residents, staff, everyone in the village came to help where they could. Kosmos Café and Caribbean Estate brought the emergency services teams food and drinks. A guesthouse offered affected homeowners a place to sleep. Other estates also offered assistance. Currently, there is no immediate need. We want to say thank you to everyone who helped and offered assistance. And especially to the emergency services who fought the fire throughout the night. You are our heroes!”
Sources: Komorant, NSRI, Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), SABC News
“We smelled smoke and heard the fire and when I got outside to see what was happening; the neighbour’s roof was on fire. I tried from our side to douse the flames with a hose but it became so hot that I had to move away,” said Jimmy van Niekerk, a tenant who lived on one of the properties that were gutted. “The flames jumped over to our side and the main house went up in flames. We climbed over the roof to the other neighbours to escape the flames. Luckily the wind turned and we could get back to the flats where we live on the property. Emergency services were on scene by then and prevented the fire from reaching the flats,” he said.
The fire started at the boat houses on the Hartbeespoort Dam shore shortly before 12h00 on Sunday and due to the strong wind, quickly spread to neighbouring houses with thatched roofs.
The NSRI reported that three rescue crafts from the NSRI and Strategic Rescue Unit (SRU), accompanied by firefighting SKEDs, hoses and water pumps, were deployed to fight the fire.
"Our rescue craft arrived on shore within seven minutes of the first call where we were joined by HEMS Fire and Rescue services and HEMS ambulance services, and together immediately their fire engines, firefighting equipment and our water pumps and firefighting equipment were deployed." NSRI Hartbeespoort and SRU -Strategic Rescue Unit boats with hoses and water pumps reached Kosmos within minutes. According to the NSRI Hartbeespoort, at least four houses and a number of structures were ablaze. They were joined by Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service’s (HEMS) fire unit, Madibeng Fire and Rescue, NECSA Emergency Services, Afriforum’s fire unit and security companies.
NSRI added, “A local man, who owns a helicopter company, launched a helicopter with a firefighting bucket, during the afternoon, and doused flames from multiple aerial approaches. He is commended for his efforts that together with the immense emergency fire fighting efforts, contributed to containing the fire. A rain storm during the afternoon gave us a brief window of opportunity to concentrate on dousing flames inside homes and structures. Local residents using their garden hoses assisted.”
The helicopter from National Airways Corporation (NAC) at Lanseria joined firefighters around 14h30 on Sunday water-bombing the flames.
Firefighters used water from fire trucks and mostly swimming pools as water pressure in the fire hydrants was low. Emergency workers worked until sunrise on Monday to get the fire under control. Madibeng Fire and Rescue stayed on the scene on Monday to douse the still smouldering thatch.
“Firefighters worked tirelessly to protect properties adjacent to burning homes. Our fire crew quickly devised a strategy to utilise water from nearby swimming pools to help extinguish the flames,” said Leandre Spies, spokesperson for HEMS.
“The situation was challenging, as the fire extended to multiple homes, causing significant damage. Our hearts go out to the affected residents. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, a testament to the effective coordination and rapid response of all agencies involved.”
Afriforum Hartbeespoort said the emergency operation was a phenomenal team effort. “The cooperation between the different services ensured that the fire didn’t spread further. We want to thank all the firefighting teams for their hard work and dedication. You not only saved properties but also lives,” said Riaan Britz.
The NSRI said the swift response of all involved, including those who helped with clearing houses of furniture and personal possessions and the evacuation of residents, their children and pets, is to be commended. “No loss of life to residents, their pets and emergency services were incurred and only minor injuries were attended to during the afternoon. We commend everyone involved and all thoughts care and compassion are with those who were affected.”
“The fire was devastating but we are just so thankful that no people or animals were harmed. A cat was missing but returned home this morning,” said Ursula Marler of Kosmos Village Association (DVA). “The community came together like one to help each other. Residents, staff, everyone in the village came to help where they could. Kosmos Café and Caribbean Estate brought the emergency services teams food and drinks. A guesthouse offered affected homeowners a place to sleep. Other estates also offered assistance. Currently, there is no immediate need. We want to say thank you to everyone who helped and offered assistance. And especially to the emergency services who fought the fire throughout the night. You are our heroes!”
Sources: Komorant, NSRI, Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), SABC News
