The biggest fire in nine years on the site of the Voortrekker Monument (VTM) was quickly extinguished.
Danie Dreyer, security chief of the VTM, says the fire broke out at Fort Schanskop on Sunday.
The Sinoville Fire Fighting Association (SBBV), Tshwane emergency services and the security company Fidelity worked with the management of the monument to put out the fire.
The SBBV recently donated two fire-fighting vehicles to the VTM which, according to Dreyer, were “crucial” in bringing the fire under control.
“Thanks to the dozens of firefighters, no damage was done to any infrastructure at Fort Schanskop and no one was injured during the fire,” he says.
“At this stage, the Voortrekker Monument is not aware of any animals that have been hurt.”
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
“With a fire that breaks out so suddenly, we are grateful for the community that stands together and steps in to help preserve and protect our environment.”
Dreyer says there are places where the fire is still flaring up, but the VTM staff are continuously working to extinguish the fires and monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, the monument’s operations continue as normal.
