The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) swiftly responded to the pressing situation after a building at the corner of Marais and Hay Streets in Brooklyn caught fire on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire, which was reported to the Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) at about 12:45pm, saw the immediate dispatch of firefighting equipment from several local fire stations to the scene.
The ECC sourced equipment at the Hatfield Fire Station, Central Fire Station, Hazelwood Fire Station and Silverton Fire Station.
As firefighters arrived on the scene they were met with a fast-spreading fire in one of the apartments on the top floor of the three-storey building.
The apartment was fully ablaze, as the fire was quickly spreading through the ceiling to four other neighbouring apartments.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze after approximately 30 minutes at 13:47, and only three people sustained smoke inhalation. The patients were treated and transported to nearby hospitals.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department said the firefighters managed to contain the fire through the aid of the TMPD, the Gauteng Province Emergency Medical Services, and various private emergency medical services.
The ESD said the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
“When reporting an emergency, please remain calm, speak clearly, know where you are to give the correct address, and give your correct contact number to allow the operator to phone you back should they require to do so,” said the ESD.
The Star