Swift action by private security officials this morning extinguished a pavement fire that threatened the health of frail residents at the SAVF old age complex on Beaconsfield Street.

Homeless people, colloquially referred to as ‘paras’, lit the fire in a bid to keep warm next to a wall where they bed down on Smith Street near the taxi rank.

The wall forms part of the SAVF complex boundary, and smoke from the fire blew into the building, leaving several residents struggling to breathe.

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Fidelity ADT personnel were called to the scene and immediately used a portable fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Those gathered around the fire fled when the security officers arrived.

Residents praise security response

One SAVF resident said the previous winter had been “especially bad”, with fires reportedly being started almost every morning next to the boundary wall.

“Many thanks to these security personnel who are our saviours here,” said the resident.