Dramatic firefight at Laborie Estate Paarl

The private DFW Fire & Rescue NPC based in Paarl, received 12.07 hr a request to assist at a Fire at the Paarl Historic site of Laborie.

2 DFW pumpers, and a DFW special foam unit for Tatch roofs and a DFW cruiser with a UHP units arrived 8 minutes later.

Drakenstein Fire Brigade already had lines out at the Giovanies restaurant and guesthouse, but the wind and embers flying now simultaneous set fire at the roof of the historic manor house and die Stoep, both thatch-covered.

The DFW 4×4 pumper and 4×4 Stiker truck commanders, did not hesitate when they saw the happening and drove straight through the flowerbeds to reach the perfect spot for the best attack position to open fire with the watercanons, which saved the moment for these two buildings.

The CAFS unit ( compressed Air Foam unit) blasted the roofs of the manor house and die stoep after the initial attack, with a foam cover several times and in total 32.000 litre foam was used.

For 5 hrs constantly the DFW pumper/ tankers threw water by their lines and canon, fed by the well operating fire Hydrants.

The main goal of the rescue operation for the DFW teams, was to save the manor house and “Die Stoep”, which was successful.

We feel very sad for the loss, but we are proud of our team for the huge successful efforts.

We thank our colleques of Drakenstein Fire, Cape Winelands Fire, Stellenbosch Fire, Cape Winelands FPA, Leading edge Helicopters and police and Law enforcement and laborie management for their support under these extreme circumstances.

The DFW trucks and cruisers are now back at bay, refuelled and filled and ready for whatever awaits us.

DFW Fire & Rescue NPC

084 752 8120 ( also Whatsapp )

Dramatic firefight at Laborie Estate, Paarlhttps://t.co/xOYDOvRHCX#ArriveAlive #Fire #LaborieFire @BurnshieldZA pic.twitter.com/61azehYhBx

– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 21, 2025