DEMS comments on allegations about delays in responding to restaurant fire
“Since the amalgamation of the city, fire departments don’t operate with their own call centres inside fire stations,”
Community members were left shocked upon learning that a portion of Edenvale’s Fahrenheit Seafood and Grill Restaurant had burnt down.
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Messages of condolences were posted on Facebook after the well-known Terrace Road restaurant caught alight on February 3.
City of Ekurhuleni’s Disasters and Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntladi said a portion of the restaurant burnt down when a section of the buildings thatch roof caught alight.
Community members also raised allegations that SOS Security had to fetch firefighters from Edenvale Fire Station to battle the blaze.
The fire station is located 1.4km from the restaurant.
On the day of the fire, SOS Security shared a video on Facebook titled: SOS bringing the first fire truck to Fahrenheit.
In the video members of SOS security can be seen following a fire engine to the scene.
Ntladi said the fire department could not be contacted.
“Since the amalgamation of the city, fire departments don’t operate with their own call centres inside fire stations,” said Ntladi.
He said if community members come to the fire station to alert personnel of an emergency, firefighters will respond.
“If community members had phoned our call centres and there was no response, then it will be a matter for investigation,” said Ntladi.
Addressing allegations that the fire engines arrived on the scene without water, Ntladi did not believe that was the case.
He explained that the fire engines that arrived on the scene carried tanks with 2400 and 3400l capacities.
Ntladi said without connecting to a hydrant that amount of water can be used up in minutes depending on the pressure and number of discharges.
“The first priority that we do as firefighters is to locate and connect to hydrants,” said Ntladi.
Speaking on the cause of the fire, Ntladi said it is yet to be determined.
Communications officer for Edenvale SAPS Sgt Jacob Mashile said DEMS and SAPS will investigate the matter.
“It is alleged by the manager that a fire started in the kitchen of the restaurant,” said Mashile.
“No case has been opened by the SAPS so we treat the blaze as an inquiry.”
Mashile said a report will be issued by the fire inspector.
He urged the community to assist in the investigation of this incident.
“Details of the scene will be investigated and feedback to be given to the community,” said Edenvale Police station’s station commander Col Ntombomzi Basholo.
Ntladi said although there were some patrons inside the restaurant at the time of the fire, the necessary safety evacuations procedures were conducted accordingly.
Ntladi said DEMS was impressed with the evacuation procedures of the restaurant. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
He said the restaurant’s structure had firewalls that contributed to the containment of the fire.
“Only the thatch roof section was badly damaged. The other section that has a corrugated roof is basically saved.”
Ntladi said approximately 30 firefighters responded to the blaze.
The responding firefighters were from Edenvale, Bedfordview, Primrose and Kempton Park fire stations.
A fleet of five fire engines, which included three major pumps and two medium pumps, were also on scene.
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