Thanks to the rapid response of Fire and Rescue teams, a potential tragedy was averted in Mitchells Plain as 28 preschoolers were safely evacuated from Montclair Kids Educare amidst severe flooding.
Image: Supplied
Fire and Rescue teams have been lauded for their quick action that ensured the safe evacuation of 28 preschoolers trapped by severe flooding at Montclair Kids Educare in Mitchells Plain.
Wrapped in blankets against the biting cold, the children were carried onto a fire truck by emergency responders and transported to anxious but relieved parents who were unable to reach the waterlogged Phase 5 area of Montclair.
The centre was among the schools that opened on Monday as Cape Town was battered by heavy storms and gale-force winds, which triggered widespread power outages, road closures and significant damage to infrastructure across the city - a number of fatalities have also been confirmed.
The director of the centre Yanga Zenani praised the rescue team on Tuesday for responding less than 30 minutes after the call had been made around 2pm.
Thanks to the rapid response of Fire and Rescue teams, a potential tragedy was averted in Mitchells Plain as 28 preschoolers were safely evacuated from Montclair Kids Educare amidst severe flooding
Image: Supllied
“The swift response, professionalism, and commitment ensured the safety of our children and staff during a very stressful situation. The courage, dedication, and calmness displayed by your team brought reassurance and comfort to our staff members and parents alike,” he said.
Zenani said the alert about the flooding was made by one of the teachers who called him and informed that the drain at the cul de sac was blocked, the water was quickly rising.
“There is a canal beyond the cul de sac. It has water pumps, but they died, and the water was not flowing out. That is when we called the fire station, and it was dispatched immediately from the Mitchells Plain Station.
“The floods were so bad that an ambulance we had called for an elderly person who was trapped in a house also on the street could not wade in there, meaning they also had to wait for the fire truck. There were about five cars which had to be abandoned along that street.
“When the truck arrived, less than 30 minutes after we had made the call, it picked me up where I was waiting and we made our way there. They evacuated the children, loaded them onto the truck and delivered them to the parents,” he said.
Fire and Rescue Team of Mitchell’s Plain was praised for a speedy response no Monday
Image: Supplied
Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith extended gratitude to the first responders.
"Our officers are doing duty at intersections, assisting where roads have been closed due to flooding or fallen trees, and responding to calls for help. In this instance our firefighters have once again showed they do more than just put out fires. They stepped in and helped a group of toddlers trapped inside a house surrounded by rising water.
"They are not the only ones who are stepping up to go beyond the call of duty and I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all first responders," he said.
Cape Times