Update 1 was in the comments of the last post - you do read the comments, right?
I was at Red Hill all afternoon helping people evacuate - I arrived about five minutes after the fire flared up and jumped to road to the side where people live. We took loads of belongings and people to safety before the fire crossed into the middle camp where Zoleka and "Amy's kids" live.
Within a few minutes, the fire burned 12-15 shacks in the middle camp and came within less than 10 feet from Zoleka's home before roaring down the side of the mountain and away from the rest of the homes. The lower camp - I have no idea how many homes and families lived there - was completely destroyed by the fire. The upper camp had no damage.
Pictures to come - I am having serious issues with my eyes and breathing from the smoke, ash, and sand and have a terrible headache and I'm starving. So I'm getting that sorted out now. But remember that there are dozens and dozens of homeless families tonight with the threat that the fire could flare up again at any time. They have no hot shower or warm meal or eyedrops waiting for them.
More to come...




Comments