A devastating fire has gutted key facilities at Riverlea Secondary School in Johannesburg, marking the second major blaze to hit the institution in just over a year.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Tuesday evening after the fire broke out at approximately 6pm. Firefighters, supported by three fire engines and an air truck carrying oxygen supplies, worked to contain the blaze, which continued in parts of the school even as some areas were doused.
According to on-scene reporting, the fire completely destroyed the school library, a classroom, three storerooms holding textbooks and food supplies, and a laboratory containing items such as Bunsen burners and other science equipment. The presence of books and laboratory materials is believed to have intensified the spread of the flames. Approximately seven rooms or classrooms were reported as gutted in total.
The chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB) described how community members, alerted via an emergency group, rushed to the school. They used available fire extinguishers to help save other classrooms. The SGB chairperson noted that the school had previously experienced a similar incident in February of the previous year, when another section of the school burned.
Speaking at the scene, the SGB chairperson expressed suspicion that the fire may have been deliberately started (arson). Eyewitnesses reportedly saw young learners—described as children around 11 or 12 years old—on the school premises engaging in vandalism shortly before the blaze began. The chairperson highlighted ongoing problems with the perimeter wall at the back of the school, which has repeatedly been damaged despite attempts to repair it with barbed wire and other materials. Security is present at the front, but the rear offers easier unauthorised access to unused rooms.
When asked about possible motives, the SGB chairperson said the community is perplexed, suggesting possibilities such as disgruntled learners, arguments with teachers, or a general unwillingness to attend school. The chairperson referenced a previous incident in which 11 children were arrested but ultimately released into parental custody rather than facing stricter consequences, arguing that the lack of repercussions encourages repeat behaviour.
The SGB chairperson called on government authorities for urgent assistance, specifically requesting improved security measures, upgrades to the school’s infrastructure, reinforcement of the perimeter wall, and better security lighting, noting that the school grounds were in complete darkness at the time. The chairperson emphasised that these issues had been raised repeatedly since the previous year’s fire.
Investigations are underway, and the matter has been handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS). No injuries were reported in the incident.
The destruction of the library and laboratory represents a significant loss for teaching and learning, as these facilities house essential resources for learners. This latest fire comes as the school community prepares for ongoing academic activities, adding to challenges faced after the previous blaze that affected multiple classrooms.
Firefighters remained on site to fully extinguish the remaining hotspots as emergency operations continued.