EL NINO BUSH FIRE DESTROYS 3 HOMES, 3 IMBONNGU FAMILIES HOMES

BY JOSEPH QUAKES REMA

TWO families from the Yamba family of the Tangiki tribe were left homeless after a fast-moving bushfire destroyed their three homes at Pilipili Ailan Village in Imbonggu District, Southern Highlands Province, on Sunday.

The fire, believed to have started several kilometres away, was driven by strong south-easterly winds through vegetation dried out by the prolonged El Niño-induced dry spell before engulfing the homes of Philimon Yamba and Kepu Yamba.

The blaze destroyed three houses, household belongings and a pig valued at about K10,000.

Villagers rushed to contain the fire by cutting fresh banana leaves, felling pandanus trees and creating firebreaks, but the strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly, overwhelming their efforts.

Youth leader Norman Kuruwe said the exact cause of the fire was yet to be established.

“The fire started some distance away and spread quickly because the vegetation had dried out during the prolonged El Niño dry spell. We could not stop it because of the strong winds,” Mr Kuruwe said.

He urged communities not to light unnecessary fires during the dry season, warning that the prolonged dry conditions had left the environment highly vulnerable to bushfires.

One of the victims, Cathy Yamba, said the family had gone to church and returned to find the fire advancing towards their homes.

“We saw the fire coming towards our homes and tried everything to stop it by cutting fresh banana leaves and felling pandanus trees, but the wind was too strong. The flames reached the pandanus trees, spread to the first house and within minutes everything was gone. We stood there helplessly as our homes and belongings were reduced to ashes,” Mrs Yamba said.

The victims watched in tears as the inferno reduced their homes to ashes. Local authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the fire.