About half of the historical village of Wupperthal has been destroyed in a fire that started on New Year’s Eve.
The fire, which took two days to be contained, left 200 people homeless, destroying 54 of the 120 homes, the Moravian Mission Station, various shops, and the local school’s boarding facilities, according to AJ van Rooy-Brandt, donations co-ordinator at the Moravian Church.
Although organic rooibos plantations and vegetable gardens in the area had been unaffected by the fire, several reports had been received of livestock, such as sheep and chickens, perishing in the fire.
“The fire was started by a group of teenagers, who were trying to smoke bees out of a hive to collect honey. The fire, unfortunately, got out of control because of windy conditions, [as well as…