Fire-fighters injured in house blaze
2011-08-11
Lise Beyers
TWO fire-fighters were admitted to hospital last Friday after sustaining burn wounds during a house fire. The incident occured at about 09:30 when a semi-detached house in Vlei Street, next to the Paarl Mall, went up in flames. The fire quickly spread from the garage of the house. With the arrival of the fire, two firefighters, fully dressed in safety suits and masks, entered the house to combat the flames. As they went further into the house, they were engulfed in a ball of flames which was presumably caused by a back-draught. The extreme heat penetrated through their safety clothing, causing burn wounds on especially their faces. Although the remaining fire-fighters did their best to douse the flames, the house was burnt to ruins. They did however manage to contain the flames from causing too much damage to the adjacent house. Members of the public jumped in to evacuate household goods from this house, while the fire was brought under control. But it was too late for neighbours Gert and Martie Dempers, who had lost everything in the fire. Shane Phillips and Hildon de Kock were taken to Paarl MediClinic for treatment. De Kock was later dismissed, but Phillips spent the evening in the intensive care unit. The owner of the house, Billy Bourbon-Leftley, said that the damage caused by the fire is extensive and insurance assessors will now have to establish whether the house will be repaired or demolished. He confirmed that the fire started in the garage, but not due to an electrical fault. A forensic investigation will determine the cause thereof.
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