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A local security company came to the rescue as students battled to free a man from a burning flat around midday on Tuesday 5 November.
A local security company came to the rescue as students battled to free a man from a burning flat around midday on Tuesday 5 November.
Rhodes University has confirmed that a student was seriously injured in a fire in a CBD residential complex yesterday.
The student was trapped in a burning flat at The Greens complex, off New Street on Tuesday 5 November.
"The student sustained severe [burns]to his upper body and was transferred to a Port Elizabeth hospital because of the severity of the injuries," Dr Vivian de Klerk, Dean of Student Affairs, told Grocott's Mail today.
"He is in a serious condition but he's receiving good medical treatment."
Hi-Tec security staff were among the first at the scene.
Security guard Kenny Knoetze said a Hi-Tec security guard was at the premises, which are adjacent to the company's offices.
The guard smelled smoke, Knoetze said, and called for backup when he realised there was a fire. Office staff summoned the fire department.
Guards ran to the building but when they got there the flames inside the flat were already high.
"There was a man banging on the security gate, screaming for help. He was already badly burnt," said Knoetze.
While some guards located a fire hose and began putting out the blaze, others broke down the security gate with an axe.
Knoetze said students who live in the complex had also tried to rescue the man.
Knoetze said the fire department, police and emergency services had responded quickly and took over after Hi-Tec got the man out.
The incident was widely discussed on social networks. A confession on the Rhodes Confessions Facebook Page posted yesterday read:
"This is no confession but there's been a case of a student trapped in a fire at the Greens apartments. I champion everyone who was at the Greens trying to save the student trapped and I champion the victim for his bravery. While the apartment burnt completely, he managed to stay alive. To the student/victim, my prayers are with you."
Despite some reports that there had been an explosion, police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said according to information she had received, the [victim]had been smoking and fell asleep.
"No foul play is suspected," she said. She said the incident appeared to have occurred around midday.
Makana fire services manager William Welkom, said the fire department is still investigating the cause of the fire.
De Klerk said the university had done everything to ensure the student, who had sustained serious injuries to his upper body, was being looked after.
