MAITLAND MIRACLE - Cemetery burnt down but wooden crosses remain untouched

THE City’s Fire and Rescue Services have confirmed a fire at Maitland Cemetery, which swept over grave sites but was quickly extinguished. 

Images on social media showed miraculously how the crosses on the graves remain untouched, with residents calling it a miracle and the hand of God.

“What a powerful God we serve, not one cross burnt out,” one woman wrote on Maitland Cemetery, Grave cleaners via Facebook. 

Another said: “I went to check this morning. I was amazed that the crosses still stand. The fire stopped just before it could reach my mom’s grave.”

One added: “Just goes to show when they say holy ground, it means blessed ground; a powerful message to all.”

The fire took place at Gate 5 and burials are continuing as normal following the incident. 

Firefighters were called to the cemetery on 23 January, where they found that overgrown vegetation and the graves were burnt. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

Jermaine Carelse, Fire Services spokesperson, explained: “The Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 5.55pm on Friday, 23 January of a fire at the Maitland Cemetery.

“Fire crews that attended the incident confirmed this was overgrown vegetation on the grave sites and along the railway line. The fire was extinguished at 10.20 pm, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is unknown.”

Queries to the South African Police were diverted to Fire and Rescue services.

Maitland Cemetery Grave cleaners also released a statement reading: “We wish to inform the public and our valued clients that a fire occurred at Maitland Cemetery...

“The fire affected the section at gate 5 closest to the railway line. While the fire has now been safely extinguished and burials are continuing as scheduled, there has been visible damage to wooden crosses and wooden grave fences in this specific area.

“We understand that this news may be distressing for families who have loved ones interred in this section. We share in your concern for the sanctity of these resting places.”

It further stated that the site is safe and fully operational and that the damage has been assessed.

It added: “The damage appears limited to combustible materials (wood) near the railway boundary.”

Ward councillor Cheslyn Steenberg said that he suspects the cemetery was set alight.

He told the Daily Voice: “The cause of the fire is suspected arson. It is quite sad to see how people disrespect the resting place of loved ones. 

“We must take the matter seriously because the cemetery is one of our richest heritage spaces with an excess of 1.3 million buried there and it holds significant value to us as our loved ones are buried there.”