[GALLERY] A look back at the full picture of the Knysna fires, one year on

7 June 2018 1:36 PM

The Knysna community is gradually picking up the pieces, one year after the devastating fires that crippled the Garden Route town.

Seven people were killed and more than 1 000 homes destroyed.

Knysna resident Adrian Egerty was one of the first people CapeTalk spoke to about the fire which claimed his home.

LISTEN: Resident describes #KnysnaFire that razed his house to the ground

Egerty says the area is looking much better than it did a year ago and has rebuilt several homes in Knysna Heights.

The houses are starting to pop up, the greenery is around. It's looking much better than it did a year ago.
— Adrian Egerty, Knysna local

Everyone is in great spirits... The new houses are much more modern.
— Adrian Egerty, Knysna local

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille started a Garden Route rebuild project in a bid to pick up the local economy.

At least 151 local businesses were affected and a total of 47 destroyed in the blaze.

Crowd-funding campaigns were initiated to help the displaced survivors and raised over R250 000.

WATCH: Rows of houses destroyed by #KnysnaFire

Among those who died in the blaze were volunteer firefighters Bradley Richards (24) and John Blaauw (63).

Forensic scientist Dr David Klatzow has ruled out arson as the cause of the Knysna fires. The official investigative report fingered human activity.

LISTEN: #KnysnaFire: Firefighter was a 'very passionate young man'

Local Adrian Hegerty spoke about the community’s development since the 2017 fires.

Take a listen:

This article first appeared on CapeTalk : [GALLERY] A look back at the full picture of the Knysna fires, one year on

Written by: Qama Qukula

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