INTERNATIONAL Turkey’s southern coastline is burning. On the wooded hills of Antalya’s Manavgat district, plumes of thick smoke appear in the sky one after another as each time a forest fire is brought under control, another seems to ignite. A blood-red sun shines through the sallow haze and as visibility clears, the charred, skeletal remains of what were forests and villages are revealed. This, many believe, is just the latest […]
A research experiment has been conducted by the Fire Engineering Research Unit at Stellenbosch University (FireSUN) in collaboration with the Western Cape Disaster Management, Fire and Rescue Services and the Breede Valley Municipality (BVM) fire department in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh to determine how to reduce the impact of shack fires. The research was funded by the UK-based Global Challenges Research Fund. The research revealed that 20 shacks […]
Metrorail has voiced concern over recent fires and vandalism of its train carriages that has left the rail service operating at 52 per cent capacity, severely impacting service delivery for the already embattled rail network. In the latest incident at the weekend, the City’s Fire and Rescue Services responded to a blaze in Leonard Radu Road, Philippe, after three railway carriages were set alight. The incident followed numerous Metrorail train […]
A spark was all that was needed for a massive fire which left seven people dead in Knysna to rage out of control as conditions were ideal, said Knysna chief fire services officer Colin Manuel on Monday. Presenting his investigation into the causes of the fire that led to the evacuation of the town and the damage and destruction to about 1000 houses, he blamed the humble pine cone, often […]
Not entirely satisfied with tackling the gravity of the human impact of last week’s disastrous fires in Knysna, the Gift of the Givers (GOTG) will now work towards rehabilitating the Cape Bee. The massive fires in the Southern Cape wrecked claimed the lives of seven people, and destroyed homes, businesses, pets, horses, livestock and the environment. More than 300 beehives were destroyed, with each hive holding roughly 60 000 bees. […]
Losses caused by Western Cape fires and storms could cost the insurance industry in excess of R3 billion to R4 billion‚ outstripping the costs of previous disasters and leading to higher insurance premiums in affected areas‚ said Old Mutual Insure. On Friday‚ the death toll from severe weather and fires along the southern coastline had reached at least 12. Hennie Nortje‚ head of claims at Old Mutual Insure‚ previously Mutual […]
Between 3 000 to 4 000 people are still displaced in Knysna after being evacuated from a fire that threatened to engulf the town this week, local authorities said on Friday. "Some areas that were evacuated have been declared safe and people from those areas have been allowed to return home," said local government spokesperson James Brent-Styan in the latest situation report. "In areas that have NOT been declared safe, […]
Following devastating scenes of Knysna residents watching their town be engulfed in raging flames and the town being officially declared a disaster zone, the fire is yet to be contained. This while helicopters are preparing to start water bombing hot spots in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and other Garden Route areas. Firefighting crews worked throughout Thursday evening to prevent flare-ups as many blazes were contained, but not under control. At least […]
Humanitarian organisations from around the country are scrambling to assist with relief operations in Knysna, which has been left devastated by a massive fire. The Knysna Muslim Council (KMC) has opened up the doors of its salah khana to residents of Hornlee, affected by the fires that have ravaged parts of the tourist town. He said many homes were completely burnt down. “It’s very difficult and trying time. Some families can’t […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
