It was a devastating fire that swept along the mountain range in Hermanus last year. We happened to arrive for a family visit on that very same day. Burning cinders were carried by the wind and set fire to this once beautiful old thatched roof home. By the time we got there, the owners were standing, bewildered, next to their smouldering shell of a home. I think, if I remember, they were out at work at the time but lost everything in the blaze. (The mountain is in the background)
Jeanette - I took you there when we were visiting last month and all that was left was the empty stand, the fence and the gate. I took a photo of the gate and posted it in a previous Weekly Winners - 14-20 Dec
Below - Jeanette again - this is the house that was boarded up and you took a photo of the window. This house is a block away from the first one and on the sea front. It also was a beautiful old thatched roof home. There was also no-one in the house at the time of the fire.
The next photo is across the road which runs in front of the house pictured above.
The mountain ablaze - photo taken from my brother and sister in law's home - the fire vehicles are visible at the top of the mountain ..
This is at the foothills of the mountain - not one modern house was touched by the blaze even though the fire swept passed their garden walls and fences. This wooden fence didn't stand a chance. On our recent visit last month, we drove along this road passed this house, and noticed that a large brick wall has now been built. (pity about the reflection on car window which was closed because of the smell of smoke)
Firefighters on the mountainside 
The fire still burned into the night - (photo taken from SIL's home with full zoom lens)
The fire still burned into the night - (photo taken from SIL's home with full zoom lens)
A year later - when we were there last month - it was so nice to see that the fynbos (indigenous vegetation) has recovered well. There are still vast areas of blackened bushes but in-between the new growth is visible - green with pretty little flowers. On the way to the church, where we had my father-in-law's memorial service, I noticed a bunch of red poppies growing amongst the blackened bushes - and I didn't have my camera!
I know Fynbos needs fire every 10 to 15 years to regenerate, but fires in the Western Cape is a huge problem. One often wonders how many are from natural couses and how many are started on purpose.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tragic situation...those poor people who lost their homes.
ReplyDeleteGood photo's...and I would never have guessed the story behind yesterdays entry.
Pity you didnt have your camera, those red poppies would have made a magic photo.
Oh how sad! It was a good photo though - and no sign of the fire-engine in the original post.
ReplyDeleteWell, that was a brilliant photo, no wonder you wanted me to see the house!
ReplyDelete