The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) has responded to concerns raised by community members following the May 13 fire.
The fire in Sebenza burnt down numerous businesses at an industrial office park.
Local business owner John Penrose raised concerns about how the firefighters responded to the fire.
Penrose believed the damage to the businesses could have been reduced if firefighters had responded faster and had better equipment.
Although the cause of the fire is unknown, an investigation into the matter has started.
Also Read: Fire destroys packaging factory in Sebenza
William Ntladi, the DEMS spokesperson, said the first call about the fire was received at 9.27pm.
“DEMS responded as per operational norms and standards.”
Ntladi said within 10 minutes, the first fire engine arrived at the scene.
The crew of the first vehicle started active defensive firefighting.
“A total of seven major pumps (fire engines) from various fire stations were on the scene,” said Ntladi.
“Two additional water tankers also assisted.”
Vehicles and crews from Edenvale, Boksburg, Tembisa and Kempton Park attended to the emergency.
According to Ntladi, all of the fire engines had water in their tanks when they arrived.
Ntladi said each major pump can hold up to 3 500 litres of water.
The water is discharged through a hose 64 millimetres in diameter at a pressure of 10 bars.
Ntladi said if two discharge hoses are connected to the pump, the tank will be empty in less than three minutes.
“This could lead to the impression that fire engines always arrive at a scene with empty tanks, which is not the case,” said Ntladi.
Ntladi explained firefighters needed to find a fire hydrant to ensure they had an uninterrupted supply of water.
He said the firefighters made use of the municipal fire hydrant near Cecil Awret Road.
Ntladi highlighted during the fire some firefighters attended to the blaze while others regulated and monitored water flow through the discharge hoses.
“On the night, relay pumping of water was well initiated to maintain sustained water supply from the source with required operational pressure from each pump.”
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Ntladi said each fire engine should carry at least 10 30m-long hoses 64mm in diameter.
The hoses are either made of canvas material or double jackets dura-lines.
He said the reason some of the hoses were damaged was the result of the environments they are exposed to.
“While extinguishing fires, hoses are subjected to extreme heat and dragged over hot spots,” said Ntladi.
“There is a high possibility that hoses do become damaged while we are fighting fires.”
Ntladi said during major structural fires like the one in Sebenza, defensive protection of the unburnt structures takes priority.
“It is not the flames that spread the fire but the intense heat,” he said.
“After the buildings have been protected, firefighters can proceed to extinguish burning structures.”
The fire was extinguished from four key points on May 13.
“Fire engines were placed strategically to protect exposed buildings and extinguish already burning structures,” said Ntladi.
Ntladi urged community members not to interfere with operational procedures at an emergency scene.
“Attending to an emergency is the responsibility of seasoned firefighters,” said Ntladi.
Ntladi said community members who were on scene drove over already pressurised hoses.
“This negatively contributed to smooth operation on the day,” said Ntladi.
Also read: UPDATE: #SebenzaFire emergency services are still on scene
Ntladi appealed to the community to report fires as soon as they can.
“DEMS acknowledges that community members reported the incident. However, driving from where they saw the smoke to the scene and then only reporting the fire took precious time which could have reduced damage.”
To report an emergency phone 011 458 0911, 10177 or 112 (cellphone).
