Caravan park fire started by children

Update Video

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS & VIDEO - Personnel of the Urquhart Caravan Park and the Dr Beyers Naudé Fire Department prevented the caravan park and surrounding dry fields of Panorama Hill from a devastating fire during the festive season.

The fire broke at approximately 7.30 pm on 19 December, when four children were swimming in a water hole near the Nqweba Dam wall.

Michelle Hofman, head of administration and spokesperson for the resort, said the children made a fire, which sparked and set the reeds in the Sunday's River alight. Within seconds, the flames spread to nearby trees and the dry grass of Panorama Hill.

Firemen rushed to the scene, while the manager of the caravan park, Bennie Roman, Hofman and other personnel did their best to prevent the flames from entering a nearby day camping area in the park.

The fire department extinguished the fire just before it caused serious damage.

Hofman said they were prepared for such fires. They placed an overall ban on the shooting of crackers and fireworks in the caravan park. Throughout the festive celebrations, Roman kept an eye on people that wanted to shoot crackers.

"We as personnel reported such activities to children's parents and in the case of grown-ups, we warned them that they will be asked to leave the premises if they dare to shoot off fireworks."

Watch a video below: