Runaway blaze races towards Thabazimbi Mall

Flames and thick smoke rise behind the Doornhoek plots.

Platinum Bushvelder newspaper | Thabazimbi – A veld fire that started behind the Thabazimbi cemetery, near Checkers, on Friday afternoon, 21 August 2026, spread rapidly towards Thabazimbi Mall and the mountains.

Thaba Fire & Rescue was alerted at approximately 12:50. Firefighters battled the blaze throughout the afternoon and contained it at around 16:30, after it had reached the traffic circle near the mall.

The fire caused extensive damage to electrical infrastructure, including cables, poles and transformer boxes. One transformer reportedly exploded after being severely damaged. Once the area was declared safe, Thabazimbi Local Municipality teams began repairing the affected infrastructure and restoring the electricity supply.

Four nearby thatched roofs continued smouldering after the veld fire. Three escaped further damage, but one reignited at approximately 21:00. The Waterberg District Fire Team extinguished the second blaze, although the roof had already been badly damaged.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The community thanked

Thaba Fire & Rescue, the Waterberg District Fire Team, municipal personnel and everyone who assisted in containing the blaze and protecting nearby properties.

Residents are reminded that the fire ban remains in place. Avoid activities that could ignite or spread fires, especially during the current hot, dry and windy conditions.