Garies High School fire: 11 classrooms, toilets and admin block ‘completely destroyed’

The Northern Cape Department of Education confirmed that the fire at Garies High School was finally brought under control, just after 16:00 on Saturday, 17 September. The school suffered devastating structural damage.

READ: Garies High School catches fire on Saturday

GARIES HIGH SCHOOL FIRE UNDER CONTROL

Geoffrey van der Merwe, the spokesperson for the department, said the Garies High School fire, which broke out early on Saturday, was brought under control and firefighters from Springbok, Aggeneys and Vredendal will continue to monitor the situation as it is very windy in the area.

“We can state that the school hall, 2 classrooms, woodwork room, storeroom and an unused ablution block have not been affected by the fire,” he said.

“The Department is devastated by the damaged caused by this fire and is busy putting plans in place to provide immediate assistance in this regard.”

Earlier, the Department said the school serves 216 learners, including 21 matriculants, and 11 educators. It confirmed that the Administration Block, 11 classrooms and the ablution blocks were gutted by the blaze.

Van der Merwe also said answer scripts, learning and teaching support material and the school’s furniture were destroyed.

Department higher-ups, the MEC, Zolile Monakali, and Head of Department, Moira Marais, will visit Garies High School on Monday, 19 September, to assess the damage and determine a way forward.

As previously reported, the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.

READ:

• Black Lawyers Association says Teffo lacks sense of integrity, removal from roll was warranted
• 55-year-old suspect arrested for policeman’s barbershop murder
• Musk memorabilia sells for R2.9m – his ex says she’ll use proceeds to pay for stepson’s college
• Pongola: Truck driver in accident that killed 21 people hands himself over