A fire erupted on the Meville Koppies Nature Reserve on 31 August, and spread along the fence, dangerously close to nearby houses. A number of concerned residents alerted The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) for assistance with the fire but had to wait hours until a fire engine arrived.
Residents attempted to slow down the fire by hosing it with water to prevent it from burning down a security house. This was unsuccessful, however it was prevented from spreading to surrounding houses. City of Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the fire on the Koppies was serious but only destroyed a security house and no injuries were reported. “It is always difficult to deal with those kind of fires especially when there is a strong wind assisting the fire, however we are happy that we managed to control the fire before it went onto nearby houses,” he said.
Eastern Koppie Patrol security guard Clifford Khumalo was the first person on scene to assist with the fire. “We were notified by a number of residents who called Johannesburg EMS but no one had arrived for hours. I am just here to help in any way I can,” he said.
Ward 87 councillor Amanda Forsythe said she was also alerted by one of the residents and called the emergency services immediately. “Both Roosevelt Park and Brixton fire stations turned us away because they did not have operational fire engines to be able to respond. I was referred to Rosebank Fire Station which is a lot further but fortunately they responded,” she said. Forsythe also added she believes that the Johannesburg EMS are in a dire situation and about 60 per cent of their emergency service vehicles are either broken down or in for repair.
On the other hand, Mulaudzi said that he is not sure where the story about fire engines from another area arriving first on the scene, came from. “The first unit was a grass unit from Roosevelt Park which is five minutes away from the incident, then later two other engines arrived,” he said.
Mulaudzi also reassured residents that there may be some challenges in the EMS, like any other organisations of its size. However, there is no crises within the services.
Details: City of Joburg Emergency Management Services 011 375 59 11.
