No lives lost in Pretoria road fire.

Eric Maloka, from the Ekurhuleni Disaster Management and Emergency Services (DEMS), told the City Times today (September 11) that the fire which broke out on the corner of Pretoria Road and Orchards Street yesterday has been contained, but there will be a lot of smoke for the next few days.
The situation is being monitored.

To listen to the detailed voice clip from Eric Maloka: https://soundcloud.com/benoni-city-times-1/eric-maloka-from-dems-outlines-about-the-fire-that-broke-out-at-pretoria-road

“It is uncertain at this stage what damage the fire has caused,” he said.

The fire left six people with minor smoke inhalation and saw 13 horses and seven dogs placed in temporary homes.

On scene, the City Times spoke to Alan Mallinick, founder of HELM Community Radio Network.

“We saw the smoke at around 10.30am and then the WhatsApp groups we are on started to get a bit crazy with residents talking about this huge fire that had broken out,” he explained.

“Our truck carries 3 500 litres of water, so we came to help and called the fire station on the way.”

According to Mallinick, the fire broke out at a building east of the Labyrinth Stables.

“We contained the fire from spreading to the grass, as it started to get very close to the storage facilities of the stables,” he said.

“We then left to fetch more equipment as the fire department arrived.

“When we returned to where the fire originally started, it had spread to WorldWide Conveyor Accessories, and the fire department tried to contain it.

ER24 was also on scene.

Shaun Els, a paramedic, said it was originally a veld fire which then spread to the conveyor company at around 11.30am.

“We treated six male employees of the company for minor smoke inhalation,” he said.

A Gauteng ambulance service was also on scene, assisting with smoke inhalation treatment.

Brian Mogoshi, supervisor at the conveyor workshop, said: “We were working and only saw the fire outside after 11am when it got closer to us.

“When the fire reached the premises, it caught the belts outside. There was too much wind, so it caught very quickly and spread fast.

“I called our boss and the fire department and just focused on trying to keep everybody safe.

“It was a very scary feeling.”

George Fouché, who lives across from the stables, offered to home the horses temporarily.

“I am friends with the Labyrinth Stables owner and I saw the fire at around 11am,” he explained.

“It just got worse and worse because the grass is dry and long, so it was spreading and just taking off rapidly.

“Laura Grose, from 4Warn Security and Serendipity private stables, came to me to ask for help.

“I agreed and she brought the first horse over, followed by 12 more.

“I am a huge animal lover. I have dogs and geese. I didn’t want the horses inhaling the smoke and being around the fire, so I opened my home to them. They can stay as long as they need.”

Grose confirmed that the Benoni SPCA took the seven dogs that were on the premises.

While the City Times visited the horses, Yolandi Robbetze, owner of two horses that stable at Labyrinth, came sprinting in to check on her “babies”.

“I live in Petit, which isn’t too far, so when someone called to notify one of the riders, who then called me, I was so stressed,” she explained.

“I came straight to the stables when I was told to go across the road and speak to George.

“I was so glad to see my horses were okay. I was a bit worried about one of the horses because she ran away from me when she saw me, which she never does, and she is still a baby.

“I think she is just a bit stressed by what is happening, but I am going to keep an eye on her.”

Desireé Miller, owner of the Labyrinth Stables, said she was at the stables training one of the horses when the fire broke out.

“I ran to call the grooms and fire beaters.

“At first, the fire looked contained but when I returned, the smoke had become more and thicker.

“My neighbour called the fire brigade while I sorted out the animals,” she said.

“The SPCA took seven dogs from the property and the horses were moved to safety.

“The fire department told me the smoke is going to be like this for the next three days or so.

“The community was absolutely phenomenal. Everyone stepped in to help where they could. I am so grateful for all the help we received.”

The CPF, SPCA, 4Warn Security, EMPD, firefighters and Benoni community were thanked by the stables and anyone who needed help due to the fire.