Howard Ndaba, Free State Education spokesperson, said residents living next to the school were left helpless on Saturday (30/7) when the school caught fire. They immediately requested assistance from local businessmen and farmers who quickly responded and helped the community to extinguish the fire. 

Ndaba said preliminary investigations indicate seven classrooms, including the staff administration block, were damaged during the fire. 

The department recognised the farmers’ and business owners’ efforts and exceptional courage and bravery in saving the infrastructure of the school.

Matric pupils are likely to be affected by the incident as they are busy preparing for their preliminary exams. He, however, stated the restoration plans have already taken place as the department will dispatch eight mobile classrooms to be used as an alternative in the next two weeks. 

Ndaba sent a message of appreciation to farmers and business owners who helped extinguish the fire.

"The Free State Department of Education would like to thank the Smithfield farmers and business people for helping to extinguish the blazing inferno at the Relebohile Siyabulela Combined School in the early hours of Saturday morning. It is essential to recognise their efforts and exceptional courage and bravery in saving the infrastructure of the school from the horrendous fire," said Ndaba.

He also thanked local community members for assisting in taking out the fire at the school. Ndaba further said the department will commence with plans to replace the administration block within this financial year.

"The cause of the fire is not yet known. We really do not expect a horrible incident like this in our schools. We are already working on the list of schools which need our attention during this financial year. We are confident the police will get to the bottom of what caused the fire." 

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