DEMS thanks motorists for their cooperation

Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) department would like to thank motorists for the perseverance and cooperation shown during the clean-up operation on the N12 when a truck was alight.

“Firefighters from Benoni Central and Rynfield fire stations promptly responded to N12 Eastbound for the truck which was reported around 1.30pm on November 19,” said district manager media liaison William Ntladi.

“On arrival, an articulated truck loaded with cardboard papers, parked on the road island, was well alight and producing heavy dense smoke which partially obscured the vision of motorists.

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“Fortunately the driver managed to disconnect the truck, leaving the trailer and the load to burn.”

According to Ntladi, as per information on scene, the driver was alerted by other motorists who drove past him that the load was on fire.

“After stopping, both he and his assistant tried to extinguish the blaze using fire extinguishers from the truck but failed due to its intensity,” he explained.

“The entire freeway on the eastbound had to be closed and traffic diverted to Snake Road for the duration of the operation.”

Water had to be shuttled with fire engines to the scene and no casualties were recorded on scene.

“The road was partially opened around 5pm while the other lanes were opened around midnight after the completion of the clean-up operation,” he said.

Emergency numbers:

• 10177: National toll-free number

• 112: Toll-free cellphone emergency number

• 011 458 0911: Ekurhuleni number for life-threatening emergencies

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