Raging fire wreaks havoc at air show

By Emily Setona

BETHLEHEM – The executive mayor of Dihlabeng and the Municipal Manager have met with affected parties to map a way forward following the tragic incident of fire breaking out and burning property after the Bethlehem Airshow.

According to Tshediso Maitse the communications manager at the Dihlabeng local municipality, following the events that unfolded after the fire that broke out after the Bethlehem airshow, the municipality has since established a committee comprising senior managers and the event organisers to investigate and gather all the facts pertaining to the event and the unfortunate incident.
The committee will work with SAPS and once the investigation is concluded a comprehensive report will be issued.

“On Monday 9 September 2024 the Executive Mayor accompanied by the Municipal Manager and other officials met up with the affected parties, those whose vehicles were caught in the fire, to express the municipality’s sympathy, listen to their frustrations and map a way forward for further engagements towards the resolution of this unfortunate episode,” Maitse said in an interview with this publication.

A police report stated that at about 14:00hrs on 7 September it was reported that a fire started outside the area where the Bethlehem Airshow took place. The fire spread rapidly in the strong windy conditions. The office of Dihlabeng local municipality’s municipal manger mentioned that the municipality hosted a successful event at the Bethlehem Airfield, this after a four-year break and that the event was incident free, and the spectators enjoyed the aerobatic spectacle and socialised without any incident.

“This is mainly because the organisers of the event were meticulous in the planning and ensured that stringent safety protocols were adhered to.
Towards the end of the evening a very unfortunate incident occurred where a fire broke out on the land opposite the Airfield, known as Gobbles-Foley which served as parking area. Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire occurred when minor children who were left unsupervised, tried to make a ‘braai’ in an area not designated for such.

In a statement to the media Captain Loraine Earle stated: “It is reported that 19 vehicles were damaged, of which nine were completely burned. The numbers could rise as the investigation continues. One person was injured when he tried to move his vehicle and received minor burns to the hands and face. No fatalities were reported. For now, police have opened an enquiry docket to investigate the cause of the fire to determine if anybody will be held accountable.”

According to South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), all Airshows must comply with regulations concerning airspace management, flight paths, and spectator safety. Safety zones and designated emergency response areas must be established.

Airshows should have specific protocols to prevent spectators from entering restricted zones and must ensure that minors are supervised to avoid unsafe situations, as seen in the fire incident after the show. Outdoor events in South Africa, particularly Airshows, should follow fire safety measures, including designated areas for braais or food vendors and controlled spaces to minimize the risk of fires spreading in case of windy conditions.