When selecting a site for a fire station, several critical factors must be considered. Foremost among these is the road network of the town. The station must be easily accessible from all areas, particularly high-risk zones. Ideally, it should be situated near the town centre, along a main road, but away from areas of heavy traffic. If possible, it should also lie between the hospital and the area where the bulk of the population resides.
In Krugersdorp, the process of identifying and eliminating potential sites was a lengthy one, extending over several years. This followed the decision to build a dedicated fire station, as the Town Hall – which had housed the fire department and the library – had become too small by the early 1930s.
The site eventually selected was at the eastern end of Commissioner Street, where this road, via a swan-neck bend, once joined Coronation Road – both parts of the Main Reef Road. The land had originally been an appendix to Coronation Park, but due to its narrow shape and dense stand of old blue gum trees, it was unsuitable for garden development. (This was before any plans existed to widen and extend the road that would later become Paardekraal Drive)
By constructing the fire station on this site and redesigning the surrounding area, several key town-planning improvements were achieved:
A site ideally suited for a fire station was created.
Traffic conditions improved with the extension of Commissioner Street beyond the old Coronation Park gates. After...
