Community damages fire engines trying to extinguish fire

Almost a month after a fire destroyed 149 shacks in the Makause informal settlement, another 49 shacks have been destroyed in another fire.

Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) responded to the multiple shack fire, on Saturday.

“The call was received around 8.30am,” said William Ntladi, media liaison for DEMS.

“Primrose Fire Station was the first on scene and requested back-up from their operational district stations.”

Bedfordview, Edenvale, Germiston and Boksburg fire stations swiftly responded to the call for back-up.

“The crews were able to bring the blaze under control and declared the scene safe at 12.30pm,” Ntladi said.

The teams were hampered in their efforts to extinguish the blaze by members of the community, who damaged the fire engines’ water hoses by puncturing holes in them with sharp objects.

“The reason given by the community was that they needed the water for domestic usage; a number of firefighting hoses were damaged and self-contained breathing apparatus went missing during the operation,” Ntladi commented.

Due to the interference, EMPD and SAPS officers were called to the scene to control the crowd.

Reports indicate that 49 shacks were destroyed by fire and about 96 people left destitute.

“Disaster management was summoned to the scene to assist with relief aid for the destitute,” added Ntladi.

The cause of the fire will be investigated.