The cause of devastating, sporadic structural fires that occurred within the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM) over five days are being investigated. Damaging fires were reported in Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu.
No fatalities were reported at six fire incidents that firefighters responded to from 4 to 6 July.
Braam van Zyl, fire chief of the metro’s Fire and Rescue Department, said the teams of firefighters dealt with three structural fire incidents, including one shack as well as two grass fires.
The shack fire occurred at the informal settlement called Gatvol in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, while grass fire incidents were encountered at Brandkop and Barden Street in Lakeview, respectively.
Van Zyl said one person was treated on-scene for smoke inhalation and transported to a hospital for further care by emergency medical services (EMS).
It is reported that this individual was among the scores who helped put out the blaze at the residential complex in Boerneef Street in Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, early in the evening on Saturday, 5 July.
Van Zyl said the occupants of the affected townhouse were not present at the time the fire occurred.
“It seems that when the fire started, nobody was present at home. Members of the neighbourhood watch activated the neighbours, then also called the fire department, which responded within 11 minutes.
“But when we arrived, the roof had already collapsed. Volunteers, including the neighbourhood watch, were already busy trying to put out the fire,” said Van Zyl.
He said the blaze was extinguished, thanks to coordinated efforts involving the Mangaung Fire and Rescue Department, security solutions provider Fidelity SecureFire, private fire brigade for commercial, industrial and residential clients Fire Ops SA, and members of the neighbourhood watch in Langenhoven Park.
Van Zyl said the fire department’s forensic team has launched its own investigation into the cause of the devastating fires.
He added that the fire incident in Thaba Nchu occurred at a house in the Moroka location.
■ On Wednesday, 2 July, a family escaped unharmed when a fire caused serious damage to their house in Pellissier in Bloemfontein.
Members of the family were already in their bedrooms when they heard two loud bangs. When they went out to inspect, the garage was already consumed by fire.
The fire at the house in Koringblom Crescent started just after 20:30, with the residents and neighbours trying to tame the flames with their hose pipes.
The Mangaung Fire Department responded promptly to the scene and managed to save the side of the house where the bedrooms were situated.
The living room, kitchen, and garage with two cars – a Toyota Cross and a Jetour – were completely destroyed by the devastating fire.
The affected family is now living with other family temporarily and prefer not to be named. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
