Kitwe fire brigade attacked by unruly crowd during emergency response in Mindolo

Kitwe City Council has raised serious concerns after Fire Brigade personnel were stoned by community members while responding to a fire emergency in Mindolo.

In a statement on Monday, Council Public Relations Manager, Mwaka Nakweti, reported that at approximately 06:40, the Kitwe Fire Brigade received a distress call about a fire in a shop attached to a residential house.

However, upon reaching the vicinity, the fire crew encountered unexpected resistance.

Some community members began throwing stones at the fire engine, damaging the vehicle and smashing its windshield and one side window, making it unsafe for the crew to continue firefighting efforts.

As a result, the brigade was unable to fully extinguish the fire, further endangering lives and property in the area.

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“The destruction of public property, such as fire engines, has severe and far-reaching consequences for the entire community,” Nakweti said.

“Fire engines and other emergency response vehicles are essential for saving lives and protecting property, she added.

She reminded the public that damage to emergency vehicles compromised the availability of critical services, putting the whole community at greater risk.

Additionally, she highlighted that repair costs place an undue burden on the Council, diverting resources from other vital services.

“We urge all community members to act as partners in safety by respecting public property and supporting emergency responders in their mission to protect lives and livelihoods,” Nakweti said.