Ekurhuleni battles rising fire incidents

The alarming, sporadic fire-related incidents at homes and businesses continue to consume properties, displace many families, and keep the City of Ekurhuleni firefighters on their toes.
Crews in the city have in the past few months battled major fires that have ravaged scores of properties and forced evacuations.

In one of the latest incidents, in Boksburg alone, fire ravaged an apartment in a residential complex located at the corner of Retief Avenue and Heidelberg yesterday afternoon (August 25).
According to CoE DEMS spokesperson, William Ntladi, the fire service received the call at about 15:20 about a fire that broke out at the three-storey building, putting the entire neighbourhood at high risk.

“Heavy carbon smoke could be seen from afar when the teams responded to the scene in a fleet of four fire engines, two water tankers, a major industrial and rescue tenders, respectively.
“On arrival, a two-bedroom flat with a kitchen and dining room on the second floor was well alight. Flames were already spreading to the neighbouring dwellings through the ceiling section, which had no fire-wall protection,” explained Ntladi.
“Two attack lines were used to defensively prevent the raging flames from spreading. However, all the rooms sustained extensive fire damage, and the neighbouring flats had smoke damage.”

Two people suffered smoke inhalation. One of them was rushed to the hospital for further medical treatment.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Crews responded to another fire incident where a business, a double-storey metal container farmhouse restaurant and bar in the Alberton area, caught fire and suffered extensive damage on Tuesday morning, August 27.
No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Increase in fires prompts warning
On account of the concerning fire trends, the city’s fire service has warned residents to take extra care to prevent fires, particularly during this dry weather.
To help mitigate the rising number of fire incidents, Ntladi said DEMS had, before the winter season, taken it upon itself to prevent fires through education and awareness, wherein officials visit different centres to share with communities vital information on fire.
“Residents are urged to follow those simple steps to keep their businesses and homes fire safe.”

Recent devastating fire incidents
The following incidents happened in Boksburg alone in the past few months:
• A Jansen Park house was left in ruins after a fire on August 17.
• Three Greyhound coaches perished in a fire that broke out at the company’s Jet Park depot on August 17.
• A fire ravaged a 12-roomed house in Lillianton and left one person hospitalised for smoke inhalation on July 8.
• Four children lost their lives when a devastating fire broke out at a house in Villa Liza on June 27.
• Two people died after being trapped inside a burning house in Vosloorus in June.

Also Read: Investigations underway after fire destroys Jansen Park home