The Namibian visited the area overnight on Monday and witnessed the flames rapidly devouring all in their path.

The quarantine camp, measuring 25 by 15 square kilometres, is in the east of the Ohangwena Region.

The grazing area is divided into 11 plots, measuring five by three square kilometres each.

Since the weekend, veterinary workers from Ondangwa and from the Okongo Quarantine Camp, assisted by Namibian Defence Force (NDF) officers from Eenhana and the Okongo Police, have been battling the fire.

But, because of a lack of proper equipment, the blaze had not been brought under control by late yesterday.

The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

But some workers told The Namibian that the fire had started in the south-east of Angola and crossed over to the quarantine camp, which is some 10 kilometres from the Angolan-Namibian border.

The Manager of the quarantine camp, Job Mvula, told The Namibian that the fire had spread to most parts of the camp as the firefighters did not have the right equipment to bring it under control.

He said those fighting the fire were using tree branches and sand and could not cope with the pace of the fire.

Mvula also said some villagers in neighbouring areas had refused to assist, demanding to be paid beforehand.

One villager told The Namibian that communities close to the quarantine camp had been unhappy with its establishment.

They alleged that it had taken up most of their communal land.

State Veterinarian, Dr Natangwe Amuthenu, said he approached the Ongwediva Town Council, which has the only fire engine in the North, to help.

However, the Council said the camp was too far away from the town.

The quarantine camp is more than 275 km from Ongwediva and there are no proper roads linking the two places.

Ongwediva Town Council Liaison Officer, Andreas Uutoni, said the request was turned down because of the long distance.

"We cannot send our engine so far away because it may happen that while we are there a need arises for the equipment here in Ongwediva.

Our people will complain," said Uutoni.

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