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26 January 2024
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Fire breaks out at historic Brakpan Library, Ekurhuleni
A fire broke out at the historic 93-year-old Brakpan Library building at 19h03on Friday, 19 January 2024, situated at the corner of Kingsway Avenue and Park Street in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni. William Ntladi, district manager media liaison at Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), said, “An old library building that is non-functional caught alight. Local firefighters from Brakpan Fire Station swiftly responded to the scene for intervention. Backup was from Benoni Central Fire Station and Tsakane Fire Station, respectively. Brakpan Fire Station responded with a water tanker and five firefighters; Benoni Fire Station responded with a major industrial pumper and seven firefighters and Tsakane Fire Station responded with a water tanker and three firefighters.”
“Also on scene were one safety officer for inspection and two media officers for media matters. The call was received at 19h03 and crews responded promptly to the scene, which wasn’t far away from the fire station. Crews connected directly from the fire hydrant for sustained water supply. The structure was well alight on arrival. Exposure protection was the initial operational plan due to high risk surrounding the library. A block of residential flats was of highest priority. Flame suppression was initiated using three attack lines. No casualties recorded on scene because of the fire. Response was called off around 22h30 the same night”, said Ntladi.
“Challenges face were the risk surrounding the burning building was residential flats”, said Ntladi.
No casualties were reported. The building is an abandoned municipal library.
It is alleged arson is the cause of the fire; investigation is ongoing.
Source: William Ntladi, district manager media liaison: Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS)
“Also on scene were one safety officer for inspection and two media officers for media matters. The call was received at 19h03 and crews responded promptly to the scene, which wasn’t far away from the fire station. Crews connected directly from the fire hydrant for sustained water supply. The structure was well alight on arrival. Exposure protection was the initial operational plan due to high risk surrounding the library. A block of residential flats was of highest priority. Flame suppression was initiated using three attack lines. No casualties recorded on scene because of the fire. Response was called off around 22h30 the same night”, said Ntladi.
“Challenges face were the risk surrounding the burning building was residential flats”, said Ntladi.
No casualties were reported. The building is an abandoned municipal library.
It is alleged arson is the cause of the fire; investigation is ongoing.
Source: William Ntladi, district manager media liaison: Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS)