Swift response from DEMS saves structure
“Fortunately, no casualties were recorded on the scene.”
Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) firefighters from Edenvale Fire Station recently responded to a residential fire in Illiondale.
The fire occurred at a house on Cecil Awret Road on June 22.
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Spokesperson of the City of Ekurhuleni DEMS William Ntladi said when firefighters arrived at the scene they found a thatch-roofed structure on fire.
It is believed that a veld fire burning nearby had set the building alight.
Ntladi said the first fire engine arrived on the scene at 12.59pm, three minutes after the call was received.
“Firefighters were in the vicinity busy with other operations when the call was reported,” said Ntladi.
“Assistance was requested from Primrose Fire Station which responded swiftly.”
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To extinguish the blaze, firefighters started to fight the fire offensively.
Water from the fire engines’ tanks and a nearby hydrant was used to prevent the fire from spreading to the entire structure and neighbouring buildings.
“Fortunately, no casualties were recorded on the scene,” said Ntladi.
“Firefighters were able to save part of the structure and some of the furniture.”
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He said the fire was extinguished by 5.10pm.
According to Ntladi, thatch roofing is highly combustible and subject to ignition when open flames make contact with it.
