Dozens of lives and several homes were saved at the Kennedy Road informal settlement, west of Durban, after residents used recently acquired fire safety skills to contain a fast-spreading blaze.
Community members trained in fire safety and disaster risk reduction acted as first responders, bringing the fire under control before emergency services arrived and preventing what could have escalated into a devastating disaster in an area historically prone to destructive fires.
The blaze broke out in Ward 25, destroying four structures and partially damaging two others.
As flames threatened to engulf the homes, trained residents mobilised quickly, forming response teams, extinguishing hotspots and safely guided affected families to safety.
One of the trained residents, Linda Lloyd, described the experience as both terrifying and empowering.
“We saw the flames rising and knew we could not wait for help. The skills we learned kicked in immediately,” Lloyd said.
Lloyd noted that the team worked together to control the fire without assistance from emergency services.
"If it were not for the training, this fire could have destroyed rows of homes. Today, we have families still alive and homes still standing," he said.
Last year, eThekwini Municipality’s Disaster Management and Fire Services units, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Disaster Management Centre, trained 100 Kennedy Road residents in fire safety and disaster risk reduction.
Kennedy Road has historically experienced frequent fires, resulting in displacement, injuries and a loss of life. The training programme aimed to equip residents with the skills to respond swiftly during emergencies, an investment that proved invaluable during the recent incident.
Ward 25 Councillor Themba Mkhize commended the residents' courage and unity.
“This is the first time Kennedy Road residents have acted as first responders without relying on Fire or Disaster Management Services. Their actions prevented widespread destruction and possible loss of life. This demonstrates the impact of empowering communities,” Mkhize said.
Acting Divisional Commander Zwelethu Thusi also commended the residents for effectively putting their training into action.
“Hearing that residents managed to contain the fire themselves is extremely encouraging. It shows that the skills imparted are saving lives and reducing damage,” Thusi said.
Thusi added that the municipality is currently exploring ways to expand the training to other high-risk communities to ensure safer and better prepared neighbourhoods across eThekwini. – SAnews.gov.za
