Tag Archives: Great Knysna Fire

Knysna Municipality will fight Elandskraal’s Knysna Fire victims

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Maroela Media reports that the Knysna Municipality will oppose the R17.2-million Great Knysna Fire claim against it by 19 residents from Elandskraal, the origin of the disaster. The Knysna Fire’s many victims know well that it began with a lighting strike in the Elandskraal bush several months before the disaster. Residents repeatedly appealed for assistance to the Knysna Municipality and its fire services. They even provided aerial footage of the first smoulder which indicated burning underground. Ignoring them led to the destruction of 1059 homes, 7 deaths and an estimated … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Great Knysna Fire documentary report to Western Cape Government

Mike Hampton Posted on by

This Great Knysna Fire documentary is produced by Vulcan Wildfire Management as part of their report to the Western Cape Government. Vulcan Wildfire Management: “On the 7th of June 2020, two fires erupted and impacted the people of the Elandskraal, Belvidere, Brenton-on-Sea, Brenton-on-Lake, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay in ways they could never have imagined. Eight people lost their lives. We must learn these lessons…” THE KNYSNA FIRE VIDEOS BELOW ARE: Introduction (2020) Chapter 1: Initial Response Chapter 2: Home Ignitions Chapter 3: Communication Chapter 4: Evacuation Chapter 5: Incident Report … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

This is what we still don’t know about the Knysna Fire, and why it’s affecting us today

Mike Hampton Posted on by

WE SURVIVED THE GREAT KNYSNA FIRE We are the survivors. With help from friends and strangers, we got through the worst fire in our country’s history. Some of us did our best to help too. We are rightfully emotional, especially for unresolved issues. It is assured that we are experiencing mixed memories on its third anniversary (June 7). Kindness is godsend, anger is not… SOUTH AFRICANS RUSHED TO HELP US 2017 must be remembered for our dead and damaged but also for the praiseworthy way South Africans, from every province, … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

3 years after the Great Knysna Fire, I’m still burning

Mike Hampton Posted on by

KNYSNA FIRE ANNIVERSARY Tomorrow is June 7. How did the 3rd anniversary of the Great Knysna Fire get here so quickly? The images are scorched into my brain as if it were months ago. A flame will burn for 1 week atop the Mike Hampton and Love Knysna Facebook pages. It has burned within me for 3 years, and will continue to do so until there’s justice for our dead, the many who became unemployed, those who lost their homes and businesses, and those who continue to be displaced. THE … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

Fire disaster, victims, anger, sadness & understanding

Mike Hampton Posted on by

Last week, I sank into depression. One moment I was there and then I was gone… into a smudgy flow that carried me like a coffin towards fire disasters. My mind burned in the Great Knysna Fire – so much loss; how Government failed us whilst lying how good they were; how they threatened me; and that, without justice, life-saving lessons may never be learned, and thus destruction repeated. On that first day, I awoke octogenarian friends who’d been unaware of their neighbour’s house aflame a few metres from their … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!

2yrs later, DA still blowing smoke about Great Knysna Fire

Mike Hampton Posted on by

It feels impossible that yesterday marked the second anniversary of the Great Knysna Fire. It feels like it happened only months ago. The smoke remains in my nose and the cruelty of Government still invades my mind. Most of us weren’t helped by Government. There was no temporary shelter on a school sports field. The tents were stolen before we saw them. And local law enforcement used official vehicles to rob the donations centre of other goods. There’s been no accountability for donations to the Knysna Municipality. And companies lied … Read the full article…

The truth may be bitter but sharing it is sweet!