Callous attack on fire station

PROTESTERS: DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT R1M

The Gugulethu Fire Station in Cape Town was set alight by protesters, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue said yesterday. Firefighters vacated the premises and had to remain in the drill yard until Metro police and the SA Police Service arrived to disperse protesters.

Fire and Rescue spokesperson Theo Layne said: “The front of the fire station sustained severe damage, including the watchroom, engine bay doors and security entrance gate.”

In addition to the incident, the Fizeka offices at the back of the fire station were set alight, with one of the office sections sustaining severe damage.

“Firefighters from Mitchells Plain Fire Station responded to the incident but due to blocked roadways, caused by protesters burning tyres, had to take a long detour in order to get to Gugulethu Fire Station,” Layne said.

In another protest-related incident, four motor vehicles and a store area were set alight, as well as the electricity depot near the NY 78 in Gugulethu.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said the city was appalled by the attack on the fire station and said repairs would cost about R1 million.

“It will take several days to ascertain the cost of the damage wrought in this callous attack but on the face of it, we’re looking at as much as R1 million; money that will have to be diverted from another community project as the repair of the fire station is a priority,” said Smith.

“The engine bay doors, watchroom and security entrance gate were destroyed in the incident. A security vehicle parked at the entrance to the fire station was torched, too.”

Smith said staff members at the Lansdowne Road Fire Station in Khayelitsha were put on alert for a possible evacuation amid threats that protesters were planning to target that facility too.

“We are thankful that no one was injured, but this has been a very traumatic experience for the nine firefighters who were on duty at the time,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter how legitimate the cause, we cannot tolerate the wanton destruction and threat to lives.”

The Gugulethu Fire Station crew will be based at the Mitchells Plain fire station and will dispatch from there. However, there will now be a delay in response times in the Gugulethu area. – ANA

We are thankful that no one was injured, but this has been a very traumatic experience for the nine firefighters who were on duty at the time.

JP Smith City of Cape Town’s mayoral committee member for safety and security