Johannesburg - Scores of shacks were saved from fire in Ekurhuleni on Thursday by the so-called bucket brigade.
When a fire broke out at the Blue Sky informal settlement in Boksburg on Thursday night, members of the dedicated Community Emergency Response Team (Cert) immediately sprang into action.
Cert was started by the City of Ekurhuleni and trains members of the community in basic firefighting and first aid.
The city has installed smoke detectors in every shack, and on Thursday night when the siren rang out, Cert members were ready for it. They called other community members and formed a line between the closest tap and the burning shacks, managing to contain the fire.
Five members established a bucket brigade system to contain the blaze while the sixth member managed to activate local professional emergency management services as back-up.
"Seven shacks burnt to the ground, but scores were saved," said William Ntladi, spokesman for the Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services.
"The selflessness, passion and commitment to quality service delivery of the Cert members saved many lives and property on the day. "Massive other formal thatch roof structures nearby were also saved through their action. As a result, no casualties were reported.
"The cause of the fire is still undetermined and an investigation is being conducted," he said.
The members of the team also conduct visits to shacks on a regular basis to assess safety and to give residents tips on their heating appliances.
The team members advise every shack dweller to have at least a 20-litre bucket of water and sand close at hand while they sleep.
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