Port Elizabeth veld fire reportedly flared up again near Pine Lodge

A bush fire that broke out along Marine Drive in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday afternoon has apparently flared up again, forcing Pine Lodge to again close its doors as a precaution.

This comes as the Nelson Mandela University on Thursday said that mop-up operations and an evaluation of the University’s nature reserve was underway following Wednesday's wild fires that saw the precautionary evacuation of staff and students from our South Campus.

"The fires, fueled by strong south westerly winds, are now under control, thanks to a change in weather conditions and the concerted and integrated effort of the University’s and Metro’s emergency fire-fighting teams," the university said.

"While a full assessment of damage to property and loss of vegetation within the fenced sector of the 840-hectare nature reserve is still underway, there appears to be little physical damage and no loss of large mammals. "

The university said that students and staff were able to return to its South Campus on Wednesday after the fires were brought under control.

"The University’s Horticulture Veldfire Team joined the Metro and Airport firefighting teams in tackling the blaze which originally began at the Arlington Waste Disposal Site last week, and flared up on the sea side of Marine Drive near the Noordhoek Ski Boat Club yesterday morning," it added.

"Thanks to our Emergency Medical Care staff and students, Campus Health Services, Student Housing, Protection Services and other University staff who also assisted as the fires jumped the road and entered the nature reserve."

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