Fire engine torched while responding to emergency
The suspect sustained critical injuries on scene due to an assault by the members of the public
AN EKURHULENI Disaster and Emergency Management Services’ (DEMS) fire engine was torched by members of the public in Moleleki Section, Katlehong, on Sunday, September 4, at around 05:00.
Fire crews were responding to a shack fire, but, prior to their arrival, members of the public confronted them with stones and rocks, breaking all the windows and forcing the crews to abandon the vehicle and to literally run for their lives.
One of the members of public jumped behind the steering wheel and drove the fire engine away to where it was set alight torched.
The vehicle, worth more than R4,5-m, as well as all the rescue and firefighting equipment, was destroyed by the fire; nothing was salvaged.
As per information from the scene, the main reason for the destruction of the engine was to prevent the firefighters from extinguishing the burning shack, as it is alleged that the owner was the perpetrator of a crime.
Apparently the shack owner stabbed his neighbour to death during the night and everyone was avenging this by burning his shack.
The home owner’s wife and two children escaped with no injuries, despite members of the public breaking into the shack, trying to get hold of the suspect, who was in the shack at the time.
The suspect sustained critical injuries on the scene, due to an assault by members of the community, and was transported to hospital by a council ambulance for medical care.
An inquest docket has been opened by the police and no one has been arrested yet.
Issued by: W. M. Ntladi, District Manager Media Liaison: Emergency Services, Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).
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