FOR Shivar Singh, watching a fire devastate Anchors Aweigh – a residential complex on the KZN south coast – was like “a scene out of a movie”.
Singh, 26, an online teacher, was one of many residents who attempted to put out the fire and help homeowners and holiday makers evacuate.
The complex, in Hibberdene, has 167 units with thatched roofs.
Simon April, the spokesperson for the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, said the fire started when one of the residents attempted to light a fire for a braai.
Singh said he was at home on Saturday afternoon teaching an online class, while his wife and two children, aged 5 and 4, were in the lounge preparing to watch the rugby.
“Suddenly my wife came running to me saying there was a fire in the complex. I quickly ended my class and rushed outside to see what was happening. A unit, about seven metres from my home, was on fire.”
He said he ran to the unit with another neighbour and they tried to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher.
“In about 30 seconds the entire unit was engulfed in flames and within minutes the fire spread to the rest of the complex. At the time the wind was very strong and fuelled the spread of flames. The thatched roofs also did not help the situation,” said Singh,
However, with the help of other residents, Singh said they tried to evacuate as many people as they could.
“As the fire spread the smoke became thicker and it was hard to breathe. At this point I went to take my family to safety. I took them to a parking lot in the complex that was an open space and away from the fire.”
“When I got back to help, four units had already been gutted. It looked like a scene out of a movie. I had never seen fire travel that fast. Residents called the fire department and farmers from the area came with water to try and put out the blaze. Despite all efforts, the fire went on for hours. It was finally put out around 2am on Sunday.”
He said his children were still in shock and recovering from smoke inhalation.
Singh said the aftermath of the fire looked like a war zone.
“I have lived in the complex for three years and it was such a beautiful, tranquil and majestic place and now it is left in ruins. The pictures on social media does not show the magnitude of the damage.”
Ibrahim Shaik, the chairperson of the Hibberdene Community Policing Forum, said: “Walking through the ruins, it is devastating to see the homes destroyed. Nine homes have been totally destroyed and two others had minor damage. Four families have been displaced and are being housed in a temporary shelter. We have collected food and clothing for them.”
Shaik said they were thankful to all role players for their assistance.
Councillor Zodwa Mzindle, the mayor of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, thanked all the relevant departments, private security companies, the farms, CPF and community members for their help.
“If it was not for the hard work from all those involved, the fire could have spread and caused more damage. I salute the men and women who ignored the strong winds and put their lives on the line to ensure that damage was contained to a minimum,” she said.