Tshwane firefighters responded swiftly to a destructive blaze at a building under renovation in Sunnyside on Sunday evening.

According to the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni, the fire was reported at about 23:38.

“The fire was reported to the Emergency Communication Centre at about The Centre then immediately dispatched a fire engine from Hatfield Fire Station, the nearest fire station to the scene.

“Several additional firefighting resources from various stations, including Central Fire Station, Philip Nel Park Fire Station, Hazelwood Fire Station, Annandale Fire Station, and Silverton Fire Station, were also sent as backup.

“These included three fire engines, a ladder, a water tanker, a mobile command unit, a district commander’s unit and a video unit.”

He said on arrival; the firefighters found out that a two-story building that was being renovated and used for student accommodation was well alight on the first floor and that the fire was spreading fast through the rooms that were separated by partition walls.

“Firefighters immediately established incident command and began with firefighting operations. These involved aggressive firefighting and protecting the other nearby exposed buildings.”

Mnguni said the fire affected about eight rooms in total and two hallways.

He added the ground floor, and most of the first floor were saved because of the swift actions of the firefighters.

“They also protected the nearby building that was exposed, thus preventing it from being damaged by the raging fire.

“Firefighters left the scene on the morning of Monday at about 02:44 after ensuring that the fire was completely extinguished.”

Mnguni said the Tshwane Metro Police Department, the South African Police Service, and other role-players were on the scene and assisted with incident management.

“No injuries were reported at this incident and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.”

To report any fire or rescue incident, please call 107 toll-free or alternatively call 012 358 6300/6400.

When reporting an emergency, please remain calm, speak clearly, know where you are, give the correct address, and give your correct contact number to allow the operator to phone you back should they require doing so.

Also read: Tips to ensure motorists get the best mileage out of their tank

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.