Veld Fire In KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Area Claims Six Firefighters’ Lives

A catastrophic veld fire erupted in the Boston area, just outside Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, resulting in the tragic loss of six firefighters’ lives.

The incident unfolded just after 3 PM on Sunday, as confirmed by uMngeni Mayor Chris Pappas. The fire claimed the lives of three female firefighters at the scene, while another five were urgently rushed to nearby hospitals, with one firefighter airlifted in critical condition suffering from severe burns.

Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson provided a harrowing account of the situation, stating that crews were dispatched to the Boston Road area where paramedics encountered multiple victims still on fire and several deceased.

The crews worked tirelessly to stabilize the injured, even as the veld fire continued its relentless advance. Firefighting aircraft were deployed in an attempt to douse the flames, and additional backup, including an aeromedical helicopter from Netcare 911, was called in to assist with the crisis.

Despite the valiant efforts of the emergency services, three more firefighters succumbed to their injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to six.

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Robertson revealed that three firefighters were placed on ventilators at the scene, with one being airlifted to the hospital. Two other firefighters remain in critical condition, requiring advanced life support treatment.

Mayor Pappas mentioned that the fire appeared to have been a runaway grass fire, with multiple agencies, including Sappi, Working on Fire, local landowners, and Umgungundlovu Fire, responding to the emergency.

Provincial Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss.

He commended the bravery of the firefighters and extended heartfelt condolences to their families. The incident occurred in an area characterized by difficult terrain, which further complicated firefighting efforts.

This tragedy brings the total number of lives lost recently due to runaway fires in the province to 13.

Earlier on Sunday, Buthelezi visited wildfire-damaged areas in the Zululand District, where he met with farmers severely affected by the fires. More than 13,000 hectares of grazing land have been destroyed.

The provincial government is working diligently to assist affected communities and mitigate the impact of these devastating fires. Buthelezi called for parts of the province affected by the fires to be declared disaster areas, emphasizing the urgent need for additional support and resources to manage the crisis and aid recovery efforts.