Makana Municipality has expressed regret at the death of a Riebeek East man whose home was gutted in a fire on Tuesday 3 June.
Makana Municipality has expressed regret at the death of a Riebeek East man whose home was gutted in a fire on Tuesday 3 June.
The rural town relies on Makana Municipality's Grahamstown-based fire service, which must travel 39km to reach an emergency.
During the public safety and community services portfolio committee meeting at the municipal chambers this week, Director Mandisi Planga said he had asked Cacadu District Municipality for help establishing satellite fire stations in Riebeek East and Alicedale. Both towns fall within the Makana municipal boundary.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail shortly after the news of the man's death, municipal spokesperson, Yoliswa Ramokolo, said it was regrettable that a person had died in the area. She said fire services should not be remote from people in the area. She said fire fighters took too long to travel from Grahamstown to Riebeek East.
The response time standards, as per the SABS 090, is five minutes for high risk areas, seven minutes for moderate risk and 12 minutes for low-risk areas. Travelling time to Riebeek East is around 40 minutes.
According to Planga's written motivation for satellite fire stations in Riebeek East and Alicedale, the Grahamstown-based fire station cannot comply with the laid-down response times as per the SABS 090.
According to the document, Makana Municipality has already appointed four fire fighters for Alicedale. Interim arrangements have been made to attend to incidents in Alicedale, pending the establishment of a satellite fire station in the area.
A Nissan LDV with a skid unit, donated to Makana by Cacadu, is currently being used there.
Police spokesperson Captain, Mali Govender, said an inquest docket has been opened for investigation. Govender said details were sketchy.
"His charred remains were removed from the house, which was totally gutted."
Govender offered the following safety tips to people who are trying to keep warm this winter. She urged people to make sure that all candles are put out; all burning lanterns are put out; ensure that there are no live fires in and around the house; and keep matches and inflammable liquids away from children.
