Girl saves the day after spotting fire

The call was made at 8.28am and the fire brigade was there at 8.38am, and immediately got to work containing the fire.

April 21, 2021

Siphokazi Zama 2 minutes read

Vicky and Milly Fay with Fanie after the fire brigade put out the fire in Van Graan Street last Wednesday morning.

Four-year-old Milly Fay’s quick thinking helped prevent a veld fire from spreading.
The little girl and her mother, Vicky, were at their home in Van Graan Street, Casseldale, last Wednesday morning when Milly, who was sitting by the door overlooking the garden, saw flames in the veld across the road.
“She came running into the kitchen and said, ‘Mama, there’s a fire’.
“I said let me go and have a look and not doubt her.
“So I went outside and just across the street in the veld the flames were going up into the trees.
“It was burning on the ground, but it was also setting the trees alight. That’s when I saw that we’re going to have problems here,” said Vicky.

Also read: Preventing fires in the workplace

Vicky’s main concern was that once the tree was fully alight, the fire would spread to the electric cables and neighbouring houses.
She first called 10111 and was advised to call 112, where an operator took down all the details and said they would send someone.
The call was made at 8.28am and the fire brigade was there at 8.38am and immediately got to work to contain the fire.

Four-year-old Milly Fay was the hero of the day when she spotted a fire and raised the alarm.

“Milly was telling me how she was taught at school that when you spot a fire, you must tell someone immediately.
“She was so excited to be able to relate to what she learnt and to tell me that her teacher taught her that,” said Vicky.
Vicky said it was heartwarming how the firefighters reacted when she told them Milly spotted the fire and raised the alarm.
“The way they approached her, they were real heroes.
“Fanie (the firefighter), said to her ‘you’re a very brave girl, you did the right thing’.
“They handled it nicely, made her feel comfortable and took pictures with her,” said Vicky.

Also read: House fire leaves one injured, 16 stranded

Vicky said Milly can teach all of us the importance of reporting a veld fire because it could have caused a lot of damage.
“If the fire brigade didn’t respond as promptly as it did, we also could have had a bigger problem.
“It was a good experience for me to see there are people who are serious about what they do. The way the message was relayed from 112 to the fire station must have taken some time too, but they responded quickly,” said Vicky.