Firefighter attacked and assaulted at station

A friendly visit by local police officers was probably the saving grace a few firefighters needed after being pointed with a firearm by a suspect.

Four suspects, one believed to be former employee of the Krugersdorp fire department, walked into the fire station yesterday, 7 December, to confront one of the station officials when things quickly got out of hand.

The official then screamed for help from his colleagues after four suspects ambushed him and started assaulting him.

When two colleagues arrived to help break up the fight, the fourth suspect picked out a firearm and pointed it at the firefighters.

Coincidentally a couple of Krugersdorp police officers decided to make a friendly stop at the station for an unrelated matter when they walked in on the commotion.

The suspects were quickly arrested and taken to the police station where their vehicle was also impounded.

The official was then taken to a nearby hospital for medical observation and has been booked off for a few days to recover from injuries sustained during the attack which could have been worse if he was not as fit as he is.

The News contacted the West Rand District Municipality’s Emergency Management Services (WRDM EMS) about the safety of the firefighters who put their lives on the line everyday for the community.

Earlier this year the station also made headlines after all the copper ware was stolen from the building and the taps had to be replaced with plastic taps to prevent the continuous theft problem.

Another problem faced at the station is the number of homeless people who tend to sneak into the station and sleep in the corridors because the station is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

“We are currently investigating the motive behind the assault,” Bennie Mohlabeng, Acting Manager for the WRDM EMS said.

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