Fire trucks nowhere to be found in time of need

Where were the fire trucks when a vehicle caught fire? That is the question on everyone’s lips.

A vehicle at the Eastvaal Centre Motor City caught fire on Friday, November 3.

Cars had to be driven out of a well-known dealership when one vehicle caught fire in the workshop. This happened at the Eastvaal Centre Motor City (Hyundai and Mazda side) situated in Mandela Street on Friday, November 3.

There was no one in the offices of the Fire Department when a vehicle caught fire on Friday, November 3. (Photo: Melissa Nel)

It was around 12:45 when black smoke was spotted in the air, a couple of minutes later the smoke became thicker and thicker.

The vehicles had to be driven out of the dealership and taken elsewhere until everything was settled.
Chief Financial Officer of Eastvaal Motors, Mr Allan Govender, confirmed that they had a vehicle that caught alight in the workshop and the matter was dealt with internally.

“There was a minor injury to only one staff member and he was taken to the hospital, treated and discharged on the same day,” continued Govender.

When asked about any damages in the dealership the CFO said there was a vehicle that was damaged and their insurance company was dealing with the matter.

In this time of tragedy there was no one in the Fire Department offices. A drive to the location confirmed this.
Chief Executive Officer of Langamed Emergency Management, Mr Dino Padayachee said Langamed Fire was on scene and assisted to extinguish the fire.

A vehicle at the Eastvaal Centre Motor City caught fire on Friday, November 3.

The local fire fighters went to Eastvaal later. The municipality’s spokesperson Mr Kingdom Mabuza said fire fighters received a call earlier from one of the mining companies which they had to speedily attend.

When the call from the car dealer was made they requested their colleagues in Phola to rush to the scene as they were still assisting in another emergency at that particular mining house.

There was no one in the offices of the Fire Department when a vehicle caught fire on Friday, November 3. (Photo: Melissa Nel)

“It was unfortunate that both trucks and the bakkie were at the mining house at the time when there was fire at the car dealer,” Mabuza mentioned.

Could this be a trend now? Back in April, eMalahleni’s fire truck was nowhere to be seen an hour and half later when there was a blazing fire at a house.

Kriel and Ogies came to the rescue. These allegations were denied by the eMalahleni municipality citing that their truck was dispatched and arrived at the house 14 minutes later after the call was made.

ALSO READ

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/96737/reyno-ridge-fire-leaves-family-destitute/

https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/90727/house-burns-no-sight-emalahlenis-fire-brigade/