The operator of a Somerset West hotel which burnt down on Saturday when a veld fire raged out of control, says all he could save was the office computer.
The Straightway Head Hotel was still smouldering on Sunday morning.
Gary Pinchen told News24 he also managed to close the gas valves and switch off the power before the flames engulfed the hotel at about 09:00.
The flames jumped from a thatched roof house next to the hotel. Only two units remain of the whole complex.
The fire spread so quickly that most of the extinguishers could not be used and still hang on the walls on their hooks...blackened and charred like the rest of the building.
Here and there in the wrecked remains a picture still hangs on a wall.
Staff who lived on the property lost everything.
Residents of Somerset West say the fire started as a long line of flames near the Helderberg Nature Reserve, suggesting it was some sort of planned fire.
With the up to 60 km/h wind which was blowing at the time, it quickly spread out of control destroying 15 houses in addition to the Straightway, which was built in 1939.
Source
The Straightway Head Hotel was still smouldering on Sunday morning.
Gary Pinchen told News24 he also managed to close the gas valves and switch off the power before the flames engulfed the hotel at about 09:00.
The flames jumped from a thatched roof house next to the hotel. Only two units remain of the whole complex.
The fire spread so quickly that most of the extinguishers could not be used and still hang on the walls on their hooks...blackened and charred like the rest of the building.
Here and there in the wrecked remains a picture still hangs on a wall.
Staff who lived on the property lost everything.
Residents of Somerset West say the fire started as a long line of flames near the Helderberg Nature Reserve, suggesting it was some sort of planned fire.
With the up to 60 km/h wind which was blowing at the time, it quickly spread out of control destroying 15 houses in addition to the Straightway, which was built in 1939.
Source