CHONGWE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL GIVEN FIRE TENDER

By JOHN KOMBE

THE fire brigade department in Chongwe, has officially received a fire-tender from government, with the machine undertaking its first assignment within 24 hours of arrival.

The Town clerk and mayor were not available to comment on the matter.

Chalimbana area Councillor, Mr. Frederick Sashi thanked government for the gesture, saying the fire engine would ease the problem the fire department has had.

"We had to call for help from Lusaka when we had a fire at the Chalimbana University in April. It is good that we can now respond quickly to emergencies in future" he said.

As though he knew what was coming in the day. A garbage refuse truck belonging to Citimop of Lusaka almost caught fire in mid-morning on the 4th of October, 2018.

The Chief fire officer, Mr. Joseph Muchimba told the Daily Nation that the truck was on its way to the Chongwe dump site from Lusaka.

The truck is suspected to have loaded with a mixture of hot ashes and waste in the dumper. They must have ignited the fire.

The firemen were alerted, they quickly responded and managed to put out the fire.

The incidence happened near the township along the Great East road about 4Km from the fire department. No one was injured in the incident.

Mr. Muchimba thanked the council leadership for successfully lobbying. “We are a happy people today because we have succeeded on our very first assignment with the new machine" he said.

He wondered what would have become of the truck and the environment had fire the tender not been available.

“We cannot be more thankful," he said. He had earlier bemoaned the lack of an appropriate machine at the department.