Firefighters tell of 'rapid spread of fire' at Durban children's home
Durban firefighters say the blaze that tore through the Edith Benson Children's Home in Sherwood last night spread across the property's roof quickly, making it extremely dangerous for emergency workers.
About 57 children, aged between 3-months and 5-years escaped the flames at the children's home in Durban without injury.
Durban Fire's Justin Bateman says they worked for around two hours to extinguish the inferno. He says staff members managed to bring all the children to safety.
"On arrival, we found that the staff and security had done an amazing job and evacuated 57 children aged between 3-months and 5-years," he said.
The inferno triggered a huge response from firefighters, medics and volunteers.
Video footage from rescue teams show the devastation caused by the fire as it tore through the Garbutt Road property.
At this stage, it is not known what caused the blaze. All children and staff have been moved to a place of safety.
Meanwhile, Rescue Care's Garrith Jamieson says one person, believed to be a staff member, was treated for smoke inhalation.
"Paramedics' initial responsibility was to ensure the safety of the children. A total of 57 children were saved and rescued and placed in another facility. One person was treated on scene for smoke inhlation," he said.
See images from the scene below, courtesy of Rescue Care.
