Marcel 'Moz' Nordin - Burning Building
While attending another call, paramedic Marcel “Moz” Nordin of ER24 Johannesburg East, noticed a tall plume of smoke rising from Benoni CBD. Immediately Moz and his partner radioed for an ambulance and a fire truck and headed for the blaze. Upon arrival they were faced with a 3 storey building that had flames licking the top floor and smoke pouring out of it. Then they noticed a woman hanging out of a top floor window.
It was apparent that she had climbed out the window while trying to escape from the smoke and flames. The team took action and tried to reach her with a nearby ladder, but it was too short. Meanwhile, the crowd that had gathered below was growing increasingly angry and violent, as Moz and his partner were unable to reach the victim. The SAPS were then called in for crowd control. The team was told that the fire department would be there in 10 minutes, which meant that Moz and his partner had to act fast.
The team moved to the side of the building, where they gained access. Moz found a fire hose and instructed his partner to attack the blaze as he pulled down the top half of his flight suit, took off his shirt, doused it in water, wrapped it around his head (to prevent smoke inhalation) and entered the building.
Five minutes later he emerged a darker shade of ash, with two white lines running down his face from the tears the smoke had brought. When Moz had found the room, it was locked by a sturdy security gate. Despite this, he repeatedly kicked the gate, allowing himself access. It was at this point that the fire department arrived and attended to the victim with their ladder, which was of ample length. Moz heard this and made his way back to his partner. After the fire department had extinguished the flames, Moz and his partner then went back into the room to search for more survivors. There were none. Finally Moz could return to his station and enjoy a well deserved break.
