Latest news with #JoburgEMS


The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
EMS says Alex blaze spread from shacks to recycling site
Johannesburg Emergency Services responded to a fire incident on Friday night in Marlboro, near 5th Avenue and Florence Moposho Street (commonly referred to as Vasco Da Gama Street) on the outskirts of Alexandra. EMS spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said they received a call shortly before 11pm, and a team was dispatched to the area. 'We did get a call last night around 22:52 and we responded to the call. The fire started where there were shacks, and it later spread to the recycling place,' she explained. Read more: Emergency services respond to overnight blaze in Marlboro While initial social media reports suggested multiple firms were affected, EMS has so far recorded damage to two structures. 'For now in terms of what we can record it is that it is two structures, because it is like a shop but it has shacks inside. So, we are not even sure of how many people stay there because they are not even allowed to stay in such a dwelling. But they managed to get out,' said Radebe-Kgiba. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and the cause of the fire remains undetermined. This incident adds to a string of recent fire outbreaks in Alexandra. In May, a fire tore through a bond house on 16th Avenue between Florence Moposho Street and Joe Nhlanhla Street (commonly referred to as John Brand), displacing at least five families. A month before, in April, another incident left three families displaced after fire gutted five rooms on 14th Avenue and Joe Nhlanhla Street. In response to the surge in winter fire incidents, Joburg EMS launched a Winter Fire Safety and Burns Prevention campaign in Alexandra on June 26, held at Marlboro Community Hall. The campaign highlighted risks associated with unattended heating, cooking appliances and illegal electrical connections. EMS also hosted a two-day Basic Fire and First Aid training session at Alexandra Fire Station to educate residents on emergency prevention and response. They continue to encourage the public to visit EMS BeSafe Centres for access to safety training and resources. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

The Star
03-07-2025
- Climate
- The Star
South Africa braces for severe weather as temperatures plummet and rain looms
With a chilling weekend on the horizon, South Africans are urged to be alert and prepared as a series of cold fronts bring freezing temperatures and heavy rain across the nation. As winter tightly grips the country, South Africans are being warned to prepare for an abrupt change in weather conditions, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issuing a level warning for significant temperature drops and potential flooding. This includes rain and showers expected to sweep across multiple provinces, including the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, and the Western Cape, starting Thursday. On Friday, conditions are expected to worsen with the possibility of freezing levels dropping over eastern parts, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains, where snowfall is likely. In southern Gauteng, residents might experience sleet, alongside isolated showers scattered throughout the province. The approaching weather front will usher in cold winds, prompting a shift in seasonal temperatures that many South Africans are not accustomed to as winter sets in. According to meteorological assessments, the most impactful front will arrive in the south-western Cape by Friday afternoon, where residents should brace for quick and intense downpours. It is revealed that these weather conditions could lead to severe impacts, while predicted flooding may disrupt local roads, affecting both formal and informal settlements and potentially damaging property and infrastructure. The danger of life-threatening situations will escalate due to rapid water flow over low-lying bridges, while major disruptions in traffic due to flooded and damaged roads could cause delays in travel. There are also reports of increased risks for mudslides and rockfalls in certain areas. In response to these alarming forecasts, the City of Johannesburg's emergency services have urged residents to exercise caution during the frigid weather. ' As the winter chill tightens its grip, we are urging all residents to exercise extreme caution when using heating devices. Let's work together to prevent further tragedies and ensure a safer winter for all Johannesburg residents, ' said Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi. The anticipated temperature drop is expected to plunge to below freezing overnight, prompting strong advisories against leaving heaters, braziers, or paraffin stoves unattended, which could lead to fire hazards within households. [email protected] Saturday Star

IOL News
03-07-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
South Africa braces for severe weather as temperatures plummet and rain looms
With a chilling weekend on the horizon, South Africans are urged to be alert and prepared as a series of cold fronts bring freezing temperatures and heavy rain across the nation. With a chilling weekend on the horizon, South Africans are urged to be alert and prepared as a series of cold fronts bring freezing temperatures and heavy rain across the nation. As winter tightly grips the country, South Africans are being warned to prepare for an abrupt change in weather conditions, with the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issuing a level warning for significant temperature drops and potential flooding. This includes rain and showers expected to sweep across multiple provinces, including the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, and the Western Cape, starting Thursday. On Friday, conditions are expected to worsen with the possibility of freezing levels dropping over eastern parts, particularly in the Drakensberg mountains, where snowfall is likely. In southern Gauteng, residents might experience sleet, alongside isolated showers scattered throughout the province. The approaching weather front will usher in cold winds, prompting a shift in seasonal temperatures that many South Africans are not accustomed to as winter sets in. According to meteorological assessments, the most impactful front will arrive in the south-western Cape by Friday afternoon, where residents should brace for quick and intense downpours. It is revealed that these weather conditions could lead to severe impacts, while predicted flooding may disrupt local roads, affecting both formal and informal settlements and potentially damaging property and infrastructure. The danger of life-threatening situations will escalate due to rapid water flow over low-lying bridges, while major disruptions in traffic due to flooded and damaged roads could cause delays in travel. There are also reports of increased risks for mudslides and rockfalls in certain areas. In response to these alarming forecasts, the City of Johannesburg's emergency services have urged residents to exercise caution during the frigid weather. 'As the winter chill tightens its grip, we are urging all residents to exercise extreme caution when using heating devices. Let's work together to prevent further tragedies and ensure a safer winter for all Johannesburg residents,' said Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi. The anticipated temperature drop is expected to plunge to below freezing overnight, prompting strong advisories against leaving heaters, braziers, or paraffin stoves unattended, which could lead to fire hazards within households. [email protected] Saturday Star