Hope rises from ashes

A DEVASTATING fire ripped through the historic Nazareth House on the grounds of St Patrick's CBC in Kimberley late on Monday night, May 5, destroying the boys' and girls' hostels and displacing 48 boarders and several staff members.

- DANIE VAN DER LITH

The blaze broke out around 11.20pm and quickly engulfed the building, which has been a cornerstone of Catholic education in the Northern Cape for generations. Originally established by the Sisters of Nazareth, it offered not only accommodation but spiritual guidance and support to children from across the region.

By Tuesday morning, only blackened walls and twisted roofing remained, with schoolbooks, bedding and personal belongings reduced to ash. While no injuries were reported, the emotional toll has been immense.

But perhaps what is most infuriating for many is the allegation that much of the devastation could have been prevented.

According to eyewitness accounts provided to the DFA, the Sol Plaatje Municipality Fire Department's response was slow and "shockingly inadequate".

Despite the fire station being just minutes away, they claimed that calls for help went unheeded for over 30 minutes.

One eyewitness described the horror of watching the fire grow uncontrollably: "We could only stand by and watch as the flames became bigger and bigger. We kept on calling and were told that they were on their way. At one stage, we had to drive to the fire department to go and ask when they would come."

Eyewitnesses also claimed that when the fire truck finally arrived, there was "no sense of urgency".