In the early hours of Monday, 18 November 2024, a structural fire broke out at Sandown Village Office Park on Maude Street in Sandton Central. Thanks to the swift response and collaboration between Fidelity SecureFire and the City of Johannesburg (COJ) Fire Department, the fire was successfully contained without any injuries reported.
Fidelity ADT Monitoring was alerted to the fire at 03:52 and immediately notified emergency services. SecureFire teams were dispatched promptly, with the first unit arriving on the scene alongside COJ at 04:06. Despite challenges with COJ’s fire pump, SecureFire’s Engine stepped in to assist, ensuring the fire was tackled effectively.
Commenting on the incident, Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group, commended the joint effort saying one of the key challenges experienced by our existing municipal structures is the lack of water in the fire hydrants so even if the response is on time they may be hamstrung with no water as was the case this week.
“Since SecureFire’s launch in 2023, we have responded to many structural fires. The successful containment of the Sandton fire highlights the critical importance of seamless collaboration between private and municipal services. Our SecureFire team worked hand-in-hand with the COJ Fire Department to ensure the safety of all occupants and the effective management of the incident. This level of partnership is what strengthens our community’s resilience to emergencies.”
The fire, which affected the third and fourth floors of the four-story building, was contained by 05:03, with crews working diligently to damp down hotspots. By 06:10, the scene was declared safe, and all teams were mobile to their respective areas.
Bartmann concludes, “Fidelity SecureFire’s role extends beyond firefighting; it’s about ensuring the safety of lives and property through strategic partnerships. This incident underscores our commitment to supporting municipal services and reinforcing the broader emergency response network.”