Cape Town – Firefighters at Cape Town’s Ottery Fire Station found themselves in a very different kind of emergency on Wednesday morning when a heavily pregnant woman arrived at their doorstep, moments away from giving birth.
The crew, usually equipped to battle blazes, quickly turned into calm and capable midwives.
Led by Platoon Commander Amesha Bachan, who is also a qualified ambulance emergency assistant, the team helped deliver a healthy baby boy just before 6:30 am, the City of Cape Town said in a statement.
The mother, who had been expecting to give birth at Hanover Park Day Hospital the following day, went into labour much earlier than planned and was driven to the station by a relative.
“The firefighters didn’t hesitate to help little Lagen into the world safely,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
“Their quick reaction ensured both mom and baby are doing well. While our firefighters are trained to handle emergencies, the role of midwife doesn’t happen often.”
Commander Bachan and her team ensured the delivery was handled smoothly and without complications. After the birth, both mother and newborn were transported to a nearby medical facility for further care and monitoring.
“Everything went well and there were no complications, in no small part because of the role our firefighters played,” Smith added. “They will remember this morning with pride, and we wish the mom and her new son all the best.”
This heartwarming event is not the first of its kind for Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service. Over the past year, firefighters at Mfuleni and Gugulethu fire stations have also helped deliver babies under emergency circumstances. In December 2024 alone, three babies were safely born at fire stations in the city.
“At the rate our staff are going, we could very well have a junior fire crew by the end of the month,” Smith joked at the time. “Fires tend to take most of the focus, but it is called the Fire and Rescue Service, and these incidents serve as a timely reminder of that.”
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Picture: Facebook/ City of Cape Town
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
