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29 November 2024
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Fire breaks out at historic Margate Hotel, KwaZulu-Natal South Coast
A fire broke out at the historic Margate Hotel on South Africa’s South Coast on Monday, 18 November 2024. Pravesh Ramchander, station officer at Ray Nkonyeni Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management, said, “ On 18 November 2024 at 02h30, the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) Emergency Control Centre received a call reporting a fire at Margate Hotel on Marine Drive, Margate located within Ray Nkonyeni municipal area. Fire crews were immediately dispatched. Upon arrival fire crews reported that due to high fire loading and combustible floor construction the fire spread rapidly through the floors and stories. Due the height of the building ladders had to be pitched externally to access the fire as the timber constructed floor was unstable.”
“Fire crews used approximately 10 000 litres of water to suppress the fire and to prevent fire spread to other rooms. Due to the fire being huge, backup was requested from Ugu District Fire Services who also requested Umuziwabantu Fire Services to assist,” Ramchander added.
Response included four skids with two firefighters each and a tanker from Ugu District with three crew.
He continued, “Fire rews used approximately 10 000 litres of water from fire appliances and on-site fire hydrants to extinguish the fire and checked for fire spread before standing down.11 occupants had to be evacuated due to the fire. The timeline: call at 02h30; time on scene 02h40 and time complete 07h00. No injuries were reported. There were damages to units on four storeys ie contents and roof covering. KEG and Margate Hotel Restaurant and other units were saved.”
“Challenges faced included that it is old building constructed of timber flooring that caused rapid spread of fire.”
Built in 1932, the hotel has been a cherished venue in the seaside town of Margate.
Simon April, the spokesperson of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), said Margate Hotel has a total of 44 rooms, most of which were severely damaged by fire, heat, smoke and water. The damages extended to the restaurant, with the first and second floors mostly affected by heat, smoke and water. “At the time of the incident, 11 rooms were occupied. Luckily, all occupants were accounted for,” said April.
He noted that the fire allegedly started in Room 304 and a suspect was taken in for questioning by police. According to SAPS Ugu District Communications, an enquiry has been opened for investigation at SAPS Margate. “No arrests were made, and no one was charged. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be established,” a spokesperson confirmed.
Source: Pravesh Ramchander, station officer, Ray Nkonyeni Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management; South Coast Herald
“Fire crews used approximately 10 000 litres of water to suppress the fire and to prevent fire spread to other rooms. Due to the fire being huge, backup was requested from Ugu District Fire Services who also requested Umuziwabantu Fire Services to assist,” Ramchander added.
Response included four skids with two firefighters each and a tanker from Ugu District with three crew.
He continued, “Fire rews used approximately 10 000 litres of water from fire appliances and on-site fire hydrants to extinguish the fire and checked for fire spread before standing down.11 occupants had to be evacuated due to the fire. The timeline: call at 02h30; time on scene 02h40 and time complete 07h00. No injuries were reported. There were damages to units on four storeys ie contents and roof covering. KEG and Margate Hotel Restaurant and other units were saved.”
“Challenges faced included that it is old building constructed of timber flooring that caused rapid spread of fire.”
Built in 1932, the hotel has been a cherished venue in the seaside town of Margate.
Simon April, the spokesperson of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), said Margate Hotel has a total of 44 rooms, most of which were severely damaged by fire, heat, smoke and water. The damages extended to the restaurant, with the first and second floors mostly affected by heat, smoke and water. “At the time of the incident, 11 rooms were occupied. Luckily, all occupants were accounted for,” said April.
He noted that the fire allegedly started in Room 304 and a suspect was taken in for questioning by police. According to SAPS Ugu District Communications, an enquiry has been opened for investigation at SAPS Margate. “No arrests were made, and no one was charged. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be established,” a spokesperson confirmed.
Source: Pravesh Ramchander, station officer, Ray Nkonyeni Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management; South Coast Herald
