A DISTRAUGHT family watched helplessly as their home in Gingindlovu burnt to the ground after fire and emergency services failed to turn up because ‘there was no driver for the fire truck’.
The owners, assisted by neighbours frantically attempted to douse the fire with tap water at around 9am on Thursday.
No one reportedly answered their calls to the local SAPS offices to alert the fire station of the situation.
A community member drove approximately 1km to the Gingindlovu fire station to call them.
However, staff said they had ‘no driver for the big truck’ and two women subsequently arrived with a Land Cruiser, which could not produce enough pressure to effectively fight the fire.
After five minutes, one of the fire fighters, taken by a tow truck operator, returned to the fire station to fetch the larger fire tender. However, by the time she returned, the house was already burnt to the ground.
According to witnesses, the fire crew ‘seemed confused’ as to how to operate the hoses and pumps on the truck.
The public assisted them in connecting the fire hoses after the fire crew had connected the pipes incorrectly.
Water flowed for four minutes before running out and the fire crew left to refill the tender, while the house continued to burn.
The larger fire tender was called from eShowe and arrived an hour after the fire had started. The second fire crew on the scene were also unable to start the water pump and the community had to assist.
Over the past few years, there have been approximately three house fires and one business fire in Gingindlovu with serious concerns over the firefighting capabilities of the crew.
Inkatha Freedom Party Chairperson for Gingindlovu, Stanley Dlamini said he had witnessed the incompetency of the fire crews, and blamed the HR Manager of the uMlalazi municipality for employing staff unable to perform their tasks.
Recently, the fire crew were reportedly found sleeping during working hours. The incident was reported through the channels, but no action was taken against them.
Residents said there was only one fire hydrant in the whole town, including the business centre.
Meanwhile, the affected family has been temporarily housed at one of the recently completed low-cost houses. A trolley is available for the collection of goods at Gingindlovu Spar where shoppers can make donations.
Anyone wishing to assist this family can contact Sonny Govender on
083 4392741.
