Miya the tortoise saved from flames as community rallies to battle blaze

A five-year-old tortoise named Miya is lucky to be alive after she was rescued from a burning house in Verulam recently.

The swift response of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) proved crucial in saving Miya’s life. When they received reports of a fire on Jacaranda Avenue, in Mount View, Verulam, just after 1pm, Rusa immediately sprang into action.

“On arrival, officers discovered a garage attached to a house engulfed in flames,” recounted Rusa boss, Prem Balram.

Despite facing challenges such as water cuts in the area, the officers worked relentlessly to contain the blaze.

“Officers requested garden hoses to douse the flames, but were advised that the area was experiencing water cuts. Some neighbours rallied around and provided some of their water rations and we managed to contain the fire for a while before the fire brigade arrive,” said Mr Balram.

Mr Balram said that while the owners and occupants of the house were being evacuated, neighbours informed them about a tortoise left behind in the yard. Without hesitation, efforts were made to locate and rescue Miya, ensuring her safety amidst the chaos of the fire being extinguished.

“Miya was located after a brief search and removed from the area as the flames were being doused. Our officers went in without hesitation to find Miya and we are just grateful we were able to save her,” said Mr Balram.

He said firefighters arrived shortly thereafter and managed to put out the blaze.

Police were also on scene.Balram said the cause of the fire was not established, adding that there were no injuries reported.