Purple Tribute, a photo from Eastern Cape, West

Photographer's Note

They died in the raging fire. Soon the purple memory will be gone too ......

It happened in the dark early hours of the morning. Three occupants escaped but did not make alarm or seek help for the two that were trapped inside. One burnt to death and the other was trapped and, inhaling smoke, stood with his face pressed against the window that could not open. The glass was broken for him to get fresh air and the burglar bars were forced away with bare hands. He was pulled through the window and collapsed outside. He also did not survive.

it took more than half an hour for the ambulance to arrive and the fire engine was understaffed and ineffectual.

Budapestman, jhm, danos, josepmarin, annjackman has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

SnapRJW (18712) 2011-12-01 22:55

Hello Neels - A poignant shot and a good reminder of the fleeting nature of life. I like the faded purples and yellow as they underline your comment. Hope all is well with you, best regards Rosemary

PS. I have tried to find out the background to your notes but only came up with one story on News 24.

pajaran (36190) 2011-12-03 11:13

Pozdrav.
Strasna tragedija ...
Sve je vise pozara sa zrtvama ...
Dobar snimak velikog drveta sa lepim cvetovima i kucom koja je izgorela, dobar prikaz.
Dobar rad i kompozicija.
Kod nas ima dosta pozara u prirodi, leto i jesen bili su bez kisa.
Imajte lep dan i vreme za odmor.
Sve nabolje.
Paja.

Google.

Hello.
A terrible tragedy ...
A growing number of fire victims ...
A good shot of a large tree with beautiful flowers and the house that burned down, a good display.
Good work and composition.
With us there are plenty of fire in nature, summer and fall were without rain.
Have a nice day and time for the holidays.
All the better.
Paja.

adramad (27550) 2011-12-04 14:52

Hi Neels.
Superb beauty of the good examples of trees, the beautiful ideal color of its branches extending to the carpet of flowers under it. Lovely composition.
Best regards.
Luis.

Budapestman (82620) 2011-12-06 2:12

Hi Neels,
terrible tragedy...an effective photo with dramatic note, the tree is beautiful in the foreground, suggestive work,
Tfs! Have a nice day! Kellemes napot kívánok!
György

jhm (122410) 2011-12-06 4:08

Dag Neels,

Wat een triest verhaal Neels, in een brand moeten omkomen zal wel niet zo gezellig zijn.
Ook dat u daar op dit ogenblik aanwezig was en nog een foto kon maken is op zich al uitzonderlijk.
Hier zou de politie onmiddellijk alles afspannen met linten.
De gevallen bladeren met de roze kleur maken een tapijt naaar de trietse herinneringen.
Goed reportage werk, bedankt.

Groeten uit Vlaanderen,
John

anokutan (15097) 2011-12-06 5:42

Hello Neels,
Good work and composition.A good shot of a large tree with beautiful flowers.

danos (73960) 2011-12-06 8:40

Hello Neels,
nice the view of the pink flowers of the tree as dominating the image and outlined against the sky,but what a bad story for the men that was burnt and the other that injured and died later.

Regards,Danos

bebbetto (12) 2011-12-06 10:02

Hello Neels.
Very sad story. The tree is huge and beautiful.
The composition is excellent. I like the purple colors spread around.
Regards

Silvio1953 (98093) 2011-12-06 11:29

Ciao Neels, great view of fantastic blossom tree, beautiful composition with lovely house, splendid light and colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

DjoleEric (0) 2011-12-06 11:45

Hi.
In our winter starts now and this is
a happy Spring photos.
Beautifully.
Excellent color.
Hello.
Djole.

lakshmip1949 (19110) 2011-12-07 6:31

Hello Neels,

What a tragedy. No matter what, life is the most important thing and one should do everything in his or her capacity to help save the lives.Apart from that, this is a nice shot showing the beautiful purple tree in the front with the purple flowers collected on the ground. Like the colors, light and sharpness.

Lakshmi

abmdsudi (26215) 2011-12-09 19:26

Hi Neels
This image says it all and your description of it is inspired and beautiful thoughtful words to go with a very moving and I love it as this image does say a lot. A tribute to those who perished in the tragic event never to be forgotten while many others remain traumatised by the experience. Photowise this image is beatifully taken and symbolic but I love your words even more. Its great tribute. Well done.
Best regards

josepmarin (55023) 2011-12-12 0:11

Hi Neels,
In your note we can read a very tragical true history, with two mortal victims in the fire of this house.
The image is strong, only the beauty of the tree with the carpet of its purple flowers smooths the sensation of sadness and of impotence on a fact as this one.
It is a great photojournalistic work.
Best regards,
Josep

annjackman (13183) 2011-12-16 10:04

Hello Neels,
Thankyou for sharing this tragic event and showing this image. The falling blossom adds to the story told by the photo. There are suitably gentle colours in this picture.
Kind Regards, Ann

batalay (32858) 2012-03-13 14:23

Hello Neels,

What a tragic event, and it took place just days after you took this photo last November. You chronicled the event in a poignant manner. The photo itself is first rate.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Harshchahal (121) 2013-05-12 20:56