Vicky and Jan Barnard’s home in Karatara (Knysna) burnt down on Sunday morning while they were in church. Apparently their 19-year old son was home and managed to escape the fire.

Will you help this family with donations?Enough clothes have been pledged on Gossip Girls but toiletries, food and furniture (especially beds) would be helpful.

If so, please drop off at Treasures4u in Knysna or Simply Pets in Sedgefield. If you have larger items that won’t fit in your car, please post so here and someone will try organise transport.

It is alleged that the Sedgefield fire vehicle took 32 minutes to arrive on the scene. The political question must be: “What happened to the community fire crew that used to exist and practice every Saturday? Why are they not operational anymore? Are other parts of Knysna vulnerable too because of cutbacks by Knysna Municipality?”

For Karatara queries, direct your questions to Councillor Louisa Hart through 072 111 6119 or louisa.m.hart@gmail.com.