Residents along Tagore Street, Paradise, were left stunned when a powerful gust of wind tore the roof structure off a block of flats, injuring two young children.
The terrifying incident occurred around 4 pm on Monday, 4 November 2024, soon after the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued warnings of severe weather across large parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
Recalling the event, a resident said, “The wind was strong, and we were sitting inside when we suddenly heard a noise that sounded like thunder. When we came outside, we saw that the roof of one block had just come off.”
To clarify, the property contains three blocks of residential units, but only one of the structures was affected.
Within minutes, a full-scale emergency response was underway. SAPS, traffic officials, firefighters, local crime-fighting organisations, security companies, paramedics, and even tow truck drivers converged on the scene, working together to provide critical assistance to residents.
An official on-site confirmed that two children were injured when the roof was wrenched off the building. “Their injuries were not serious, but they were taken to hospital as a precaution, to ensure they had not suffered any internal injuries,” stated the official.
Speaking with witnesses at the scene, the incident has left residents feeling both shaken and outraged. One resident voiced her frustration, saying “This could have been avoided if the property had been built properly. Not only are the residents living on that block now facing a roofless building, but my boyfriend’s bakkie was also damaged.”
Furthermore, authorities have confirmed that investigations into the incident are underway.
While we await the feedback from the investigations, SAWS has issued a level 4 alert for severe thunderstorms, warning of potential danger across Newcastle, Ladysmith, Dannhauser, Dundee, Utrecht, Nquthu, and several other towns.
These impending storms bring heightened risk, including potential structural damage from hail and strong winds, life-threatening conditions for both humans and animals, disruption to essential services from power surges, and blocked roads due to fallen trees.
Given that severe thunderstorms are anticipated to continue through the night, bringing damaging winds, intense lightning, hail, and heavy rainfall, residents are urged to take all necessary precautions.
With such intense weather conditions on the horizon, and damage already being reported in Newcastle, what are your thoughts on the incident?
Share your views in the comments below.
Comments 5
Time the municipality steps in and does proper building inspections on the owner’s properties he has many unsafe buildings around Newcastle however he seems to get away with the safety regulations concerning his structures.
Have a look at his building structure in Waterbuck as well as in Amythest street. Many residents have complained about the buildings. The owner should show the building plans and the where the building inspectors passed his plans as well as his buildings.
The relevant persons in the Municipality must be investigated for all the land he has purchased to ensure proper tender and procurement policies were followed and how the Municioality passed and approved such sub standard buildings. ..please follow up on your side and be thorough please.
When will the authorities take action against the developers ? This particular building had illegal water connections and nothing was done about it from a legal perspective. The developers rent out their shabby and unsafe buildings to illegal Foreign Nationals, that alone is a crime. Is money more important to authorities than lives ? Is money preventing law enforcement from taking action ? Is money preventing CPF, CCPA et al from writing bollywood style success reports on these crimes ?
time for the owner to see hes back side all his propertys is unsafe go see places in pioneer park
Nevermind Pioneer park, go look at the building in Ncundu Park, even worse, we need low cost accommodation for those who can’t afford high rentals, however this guy who owns the buildings is shady, he builds places of poor quality, obviously has no pride for himself all he sees is the money, people pay up to 4000 for poorly built units. Someone in the municipality is in his back pocket cause these structures aren’t safe yet he is permitted to put up buildings. He houses all kinds of people, bet if the SAPS did raids in these buildings many drug lords will be caught.