Tardy response: House destroyed by fire
Response time should be 15 minutes.
A house in Uys Krige Street in Florida was completely destroyed by fire after it took a fire truck from Florida Fire Station almost 50 minutes to arrive.
According to CPF chairperson, Riaz Jogee, a call was logged at 6.05pm on Friday, 28 July, but the the fire truck only arrived at 6.50pm. By the time it arrived the house and everything in it had been destroyed. Members of the public, CPF and ICE patrollers managed to save the garage only. None of the family, consisting of two women and three children, was injured.
An upset Jogee said the incident raises concerning questions. “Why did it take so long? And what should the response time actually be?” he asked.
According to Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), there was a fire truck available at Florida Fire Station on the evening in question. He said the response time should have been 15 minutes unless the fire truck had been diverted en route. He agreed though that otherwise the response time on Friday was unacceptable. At the time of speaking to the Record, he did not know whether the fire truck had been diverted, but said he would enquire. Mulaudzi also confirmed that only two fire trucks service the Roodepoort area – one from Roodepoort Fire Station and one from Florida Fire Station.
Also Read: House fire allegedly not caused by lightning
Meanwhile, kind-hearted neighbours have jumped in and made the garage habitable for the family. They are also in the process of rebuilding the house but need sponsors, donations and help. According to neighbour, Riaan Harmse, they are in dire need of paint, roof tiles, rafters and glass for windows. He said groceries, clothing and the likes would also be appreciated.
Anyone who wants to assist the family and neighbours can contact Harmse on 083 302 7821.
Jogee expressed his thanks to the CPF patrollers, the chairperson and patrollers of ICE and DA councillor Caleb Finn for their assistance on the evening.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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