By Staff Reporter
SOEKMEKAAR— This week, the Capricorn District Municipality Fire Services responded to an unusual situation in the Morebeng dam area of Soekmekaar, where an underground fire burning close to the surface alarmed residents and sparked a social media frenzy, with rumoupprs swirling that the phenomenon was a “volcano.”
The incident began with a small smoldering area, which soon expanded to roughly 15 meters, prompting residents to alert authorities.
Capricorn District’s Fire Services and Environmental Management teams swiftly conducted an investigation and determined the source of the fire was unrelated to volcanic activity.
According to Mr. Wynand Els, Molemole’s Chief Fire Officer, the fire originated in an old wetland area that had been dry for a long period due to ongoing drought conditions.
A previous fire in September had ignited reeds and grass, leaving behind burnt embers that likely fell into cracks in the dried soil, igniting organic material below ground level. Over time, these embers continued to smolder underground until resurfacing this week.
“I used a multi-gas meter to check for the presence of any gases,” Els explained. “There was no sulfur or explosive gases like methane, only carbon monoxide—indicating normal smoke without any toxic or dangerous gases in the area.”
Fire Services examined historical geographical maps to determine if the site had previously served as a landfill, but no evidence of waste disposal was found.
Digging down about two meters, the team confirmed that organic material was fueling the fire, accumulated over centuries in the old wetland.
“We dug to remove the ‘fuel,’ as water cannot penetrate that depth,” Els noted. “It’s safe to say, it was definitely not a volcano.”
To ensure public and animal safety, authorities have cordoned off the affected area, restricting access until the fire is completely controlled and extinguished.
This rare underground fire highlights the impact of prolonged droughts on previously wet areas, transforming organic-rich wetlands into potential fire hazards.
The Municipality reassures residents that ongoing monitoring and preventive measures are in place to handle the situation.
