SAVED FROM DISASTER!


The Pringle Bay community expresses a huge THANK YOU and our greatest  appreciation to those who have contributed so much to saving our village from a near-disastrous fire.  

The fire was driven by a gale force South Easter. It started on the Betty's Bay side of Three Flavours guest house, jumped Clarence drive and then spread rapidly up the south eastern slopes, around the mountain ridge and down toward Hangklip road. Unfortunately one house was destroyed at the top end of Carla Road. To onlookers it seemed almost inevitable that many more houses were on fire as flames engulfed the area. The PB Volunteer Fire Team was on the scene within a few minutes of the alarm call followed by teams from several Western Cape municipalities. The new Fire Station quickly became the centre of action as professional fire personnel took control to co-ordinate ground and air services. Two water-bombing helicopters arrived in the nick of time to save many houses, followed by fixed wing planes laying sheets of foam. These greatly assisted to control and extinguish the flame front on the mountain slopes before it could sweep into the valley above Stream road. The fire was finally brought under control just before dark although fire teams worked through the night and following morning to manage flare-ups in the ever-howling wind. The Community Hall is still being used as temporary accommodation for many of the 95 fire-fighters brought in to assist local services. Back-up teams will be retained for two days to control flare-ups.  

Thanks go to both to the fire-fighting personnel and those who have helped with ongoing donations and supplies of food, drinks, medical services etc. We cannot name everyone but wish to recognise the fire team players who have given us their absolute dedication and effort:

Volunteer Community Fire Fighters from Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Rooi Els

Local Chief Clayton and his wife Dimmy, Vic Brooker, Dave Mellet, Pierre Kruger, Ronnie Francis, Jeff Owen, Louis Rousseau, Wendy Tawse, Edward Olivier, Jurika Rabie, Cuan McGeorge, Jason Griffiths. These folk were at it for nearly 24 hours non-stop.

Overstrand Municipality Safety and Fire Services. 

Fire Chief Lester Smith and Director Neville Michaels were both on site till late evening, supporting the firefighters. They are responsible for one of the most effective fire services in the country. Marlu Rust is the "Incident Commander"  responsible for directing ground services and managing the operation. He is doing a great, great job! 

Support Teams from Western Cape

City of Cape Town Fire Services
Stellenbosch Fire Services
Overberg District Fire Services
Cape Nature
Working on Fire Teams - Kleinmond, False Bay, Robertson-Vrolikheid

Donations
There have been requests for banking details for those who wish to make donations to the fire fighting funds. Please ensure that you specify the following in the Reference Field: Fire / Name/ ERF number

Pringle Bay Ratepayers' Association
Nedbank Branch 131505
Savings Account 2315001714

Community at work

There may be people needing community support as a result of fire damage. It would be helpful to receive input on this matter.

Thank you again to everyone in our community who brought donations for the fire fighters, offered their time and energy, and just came to give their moral support at a time of need. It was humbling and rewarding to once again experience our community spirit at work, and so encouraging to see what we can achieve as a group. This is one of the qualities that make Pringle so special and worth fighting for.     ​

Notice of a public ward meeting was sent on the afternoon of 6th February.  The meeting is to be held in Crassula Hall at 1800 on 7th February.