UPDATE: Vorna Valley Vlei fire under control

TRSS guards have said their control centre received a call at about 1.55pm alerting them to smoke coming from the Vorna Valley Vlei in Elizabeth Fry Street. 

An eyewitness, Al Karaki, said he saw an Emergency Services fire truck arrive at about 2.30pm. “The truck went to the vlei gates off Harry Galaun but the fire was too far away for the hose to reach,” he said.

Karaki, who is currently freelancing for the Midrand Reporter, said shortly after the fire trucks arrived a Community Policing Forum patrol vehicle arrived and led the emergency services to the fire via Elizabeth Fry Street. Karaki said this portion of the vlei borders homes and emergency personnel were able to climb over the walls of residents’ properties to extinguish the flames.

Karaki told Midrand Reporter that strong winds did not help, and the fire eventually started moving away from Elizabeth Fry Street toward Chris Barnard Street. “ARN security staff went to assist homeowners and assess the situation,” he said. By 2.50pm a second EMS fire truck arrived to help extinguish the flames and protect residential homes.

It is reported that the fire is now under control and burning out. 

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