August 8, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
ONE of the oldest fire stations in the City, the Berea Fire Station, is undergoing renovations worth more than R6-million.
Popularly known as the "Doll's House" because of its resemblance to a toy doll's house, after the renovations the fire station will be able to accommodate two huge, modern fire engines.
"At the moment, the engine bay is too old and small to accommodate modern fire engines," says Deon Spohr, the district chief in charge of projects at the City's emergency management services (EMS) unit. "The station serves suburbs that have high-rise buildings and consequently have to be serviced by fire engines that can meet the demands."
Berea Fire Station is one of the oldest fire stations in the city
The work is part of the City's efforts to regenerate the inner city, Spohr says.
At present, the fire station can accommodate only one heavy engine and an ambulance, according to Patrick Cass, the station commander.
Two new bays are being built and the former living quarters for firemen west of the station are being renovated to accommodate a new Basic Emergency Safety and Fire Education (Besafe) centre. Here children will be taught about basic firefighting and safety.
"Construction started during the 2004/05 financial year. The first phase of the project involved the demolition of one of the living quarters behind the fire station," Spohr says.
"We are currently in the second phase, which is the construction of the two engine bays. The two phases will be completed at a cost of R3-million. The third phase will be the renovation of the old Doll's House at a cost of R3,6-million."
Built in 1910, the fire station is a heritage building and cannot be demolished. The EMS unit had to apply to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRC) to revamp it, Spohr adds.
Dwarfed by the tall buildings surrounding it and looking a little old and tired, the station still retains its grandeur, notably in its beautiful architecture. Spohr says that apart from being an old and protected building, the fire station is at a prominent site.
"It would be a sin to destroy it," he says.
Situated in Mitchel Street in Berea, the station was built to protect 49 townships, as the suburbs were called then, in the Northern District of Johannesburg.
"Half of the site where the station now stands was donated as a gift to the Johannesburg City Council by Johannesburg Consolidated Company Limited for the purposes of a fire station; the Council bought the other half from Dakota Property Limited for £12 000," Spohr explains.
As it was the only station serving such a large area, its resources were stretched and a second fire station had to be built in Rosebank.
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