Massive Fire Leaves Student Accommodation in Sunnyside Gutted: Quick Firefighter Response Prevents Further Damage
At least eight rooms and two hallways in a student accommodation building in Sunnyside, Tshwane, were destroyed in a massive fire over the weekend. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the blaze that raged through the two-story building on Rissik Street, which was under renovation.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded swiftly to the fire, which broke out on Sunday. Firefighters worked tirelessly for an entire day, only managing to extinguish the flames in the early hours of Monday morning.
Swift Firefighter Response Prevents Further Damage
Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni, spokesperson for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services, confirmed that the fire was first reported to the Emergency Communication Centre, prompting an immediate response from the Hatfield Fire Station. Additional support came from Central, Philip Nel Park, Hazelwood, Innesdale, and Silverton Fire Stations.
The resources deployed included:
- Three fire engines
- A ladder
- A water tanker
- A mobile command unit
- A district commander’s unit
- A video unit
The fire was found raging on the first floor, rapidly spreading through rooms separated by partition walls. The firefighters quickly established an incident command and launched aggressive operations to contain the fire.
Student Accommodation in Sunnyside Damage Report
- Eight rooms and two hallways were gutted.
- Most of the ground floor and part of the first floor were saved.
- Nearby buildings were protected from damage by the firefighters’ efforts.
Mnguni emphasized that the swift actions of the firefighting teams were instrumental in preventing a larger disaster.
Investigations Underway
Firefighters left the scene at approximately 2:44 AM on Monday after ensuring the fire was completely extinguished. The Tshwane Metro Police Department, South African Police Service, and other authorities were present to assist with incident management.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
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