Security company Fidelity ADT responded to a house fire on 1 February after a gardener cutting the lawn at a property in Haldane Crescent, Woodmead, noticed smoke coming from the roof of the house.
Spokesperson for Fidelity ADT Cathy Findley said the gardener alerted a neighbour, Shalien Toolsi who contacted the owner. “He was away at the time and said he could only be back at the house in 45 minutes,” Toolsi said.
The security company’s site manager Lameck Sibiya and reaction officer Lawrence Khumalo headed to the property after the owner asked for assistance.
Aslam Munsur, community development manager Fidelity ADT said, “The officers broke down the wooden door and used a hosepipe and fire extinguishers to battle the blaze. Fortunately, they managed to extinguish the fire through the open door with the assistance of local police officer Colonel Neil Pillay who arrived on the scene.”
Pillay was off duty at the time as he drove past the house, he stopped and helped the security officers.
Munsur said there were no injuries on the scene. The fire caused massive damage to furniture in the house, including a TV and curtains, and most of the windows were broken. He added that upon investigation it was discovered that the fire was started by an electrical fault at the plugs connected to the air conditioner.
He commended the response from the Sandton Fire Department, however, the fire was already put out by officers and neighbours by the time they arrived. City of Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi confirmed that they did respond to the call and that the fire had already been put out by the time they arrived.
Munsur concluded that due to the quick response by Fidelity ADT and neighbours, the house was saved.
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