Bedfordview has seen multiple fire incidents in a short time, raising concerns.
On August 30, there was a massive fire close to the complexes on Talisman Avenue and Bothma Road in the early morning hours.
Residents rallied together and did most of the work in extinguishing the fire.
Two other fires were also reported on the same day; on Kloof Road and in Morninghill.
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On the same day, around 19:00, another fire was reported.
Ward Clr Jill Humphreys said there have been six fires in the past weeks in Bedfordview.
“A big area has burnt out at Talisman Road and the fire was extremely dangerous.
“Our fire department was responding with what they had, but because there were three fires at the same time, they could not have enough engines in one place,” said Humphreys.
She stated people going onto the mountain for rituals, which include making fires, also contribute to the problem.
In previous weeks, parts of Gillooly’s Farm close to the Jukskei River burnt as well.
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“I’m starting to suspect that it is arson, as well.
“Most of these fires start in the morning,” she said.
The district manager media liaison for DEMS William Ntladi said in the past two months they have serviced AG de Witt/at the back of Townsend, Bill Stewart Nature Reserve (behind Kloof Road), behind St Christopher Road and between the Jukskei River, the Morninghill and Senderwood koppie (mountain), Fouche Terrace in Morninghill and Cheetham Road in Senderwood, Posselt Park (between Leicester and Kirkby roads) Bedfordview, Gilloolys Farm and Talisman Avenue and Bothma Road.
He explained some of these areas were serviced more than once because, after extinguishment, either later or a couple of days thereafter, the unburnt vegetation was being burnt again.
“The aggravating factors that lead to fire incidents range from poor housekeeping, spontaneous reaction of the burning material (fuel), self-connection electricity, chemical reaction, human error such as illegal dumping of combustibles, negligence, lack of understanding or attitude.
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“Different seasons also bring different fire hazards.
“Summer is known to be warm and rainy, and as a result, vegetation grows to maximum levels and is very dense.
“Subsequently, the same vegetation dries during winter and becomes a fire hazard to life and properties, hence winter is known as a fire season from a fire brigade perspective,” said Ntladi.
He said emergency services of the City of Ekurhuleni, (CoE) serviced a relatively high number of veld fires, including those near the Morning Hill, Gillooly`s Farm and various areas around Bedfordview and Edenvale area.
In some instances, though the grass has been cut to a minimum, because of being dry, it burns anyway.
Lit cigarette buds and deliberate or spontaneous combustion/ chemical reactions can cause a veld fire.
Such a fire produces smoke, and depending on the density of the smoke, it becomes a hazard as well to life.
“The CoE is a multi-departmental organisation where departments such as environmental services exercise their grass-cutting responsibilities.
“The EMPD enforces by-laws, hence they confronted those ritual practitioners in Morning Hill to stop the practices.”Open fires are not allowed because of various risk factors.
“They can burn and destroy the environment, structures, properties, and in a worst-case scenario, death to human and animal lives.
Negligence of individuals can also cause domestic and structural fires.
Thatch roof structures need to be constantly sprayed with fire-retardant chemicals to reduce the combustibility of the grass. Hot sparks blown by the wind can easily ignite the roof and the destruction is always immense.
“Many of these roofs are used as braai/grill/barbeque areas, and burning coals are not cooled off or extinguished after use. That put the entire structure and those in the neighbourhood at a high risk of burning.
“When firefighters arrive on the scene, the first approach after the assessment is ‘exposure protection’ meaning, protect those not burning already and thereafter, the offensive attack mode for the live burning structure,” he added.
DEMS has assigned educational officers whose responsibilities are to educate the public and inform them about fire safety practices.
He said the aim is to build resilient communities.
Some challenges Ntladi has pointed out for having the officers:
• Vandalism of fire hydrants which impacts negatively during firefighting.
• Fire engines carry a limited amount of water. The smallest carries 400l water, while the water tankers carry around 11 000l.
“That differs in sizes of various fire engines.”
The major and rescue pumpers are mostly used. They carry between 2 400 and 3 800l water. Both these vehicles can empty their tanks in less than three minutes when fighting the fire, hence sustained water supply from fire hydrants is of paramount importance.
• Many community members think that Fire Engines arrive on the scene with empty tanks, which is incorrect.
“Some municipal fire hydrants are fenced behind perimeter fencing and cannot be accessed.
Some underground fire hydrants are under paving or lawn planted over them, making it difficult to locate them as well.”
The number to use during fire emergencies is 011 458 0911.
