Alberton branch help prevent disaster in Alrode
AfriForum’s neighbourhood watch in Alberton helped contain a fire at a property in Alrode last weekend (September 1) before it could spread to the surrounding industrial buildings. The fire threatened to engulf other buildings, but the neighbourhood watch, in cooperation with the owner of the property and private security companies, quickly brought it under control.
Donovan Scorgie, leader of the Alberton branch neighbourhood watch, says they received a message about the fire at 19:15 and immediately responded to the emergency call. When the neighbourhood watch arrived on the scene, the owner of the property was trying to extinguish the fire with the help of a garden hose. However, the AfriForum neighbourhood watch used its mobile fire engine to finally control the fire. This equipment was later used to cool all the hot embers around the property so that the fire would not flare up again.
“This incident is an example of how important it is for communities to be prepared and keep civil organizations’ emergency numbers at hand. By combining forces with various security structures, we prevented a possible disaster,” says Scorgie.
Jurie Ferreira, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the East Rand, says the Alberton neighbourhood watch continuously strive to create awareness about the safety of the community and the environment. “The neighbourhood watch wants to help ensure that Alberton’s residents mobilise themselves to become actively involved in the safety of the community. A community that comes together to face common challenges is a community that is prepared for success,” he says.
The Alberton branch calls on the community to get involved with this neighbourhood watch to make a real difference in the area. Send an email to alberton.bw@afriforumtak.co.za or visit www.wordlid.co.za for more information.
