Fire and rescue services in South Africa are run by municipalities, not by a national fire service, so the number you dial depends on where you are. National emergency numbers work everywhere and will route you if you do not know the local one.
If there is a fire right now
Get everyone out of the building first, then call from a safe distance. Do not go back inside for possessions, pets or documents. Wait for the fire service to arrive rather than attempting a rescue yourself.
| Emergency from a mobile phone (all networks, no airtime needed) | 112 |
| Ambulance and medical emergencies | 10177 |
| Police | 10111 |
Municipal fire and emergency numbers
| City of Cape Town | 021 480 7700, or 112 toll-free |
| City of Tshwane | 107, or 012 358 9999 Option 1 |
| City of Johannesburg | 011 375 5911 (Ambulance, Fire and JMPD) |
| City of Ekurhuleni | 10177, 011 458 0911, or 112 |
| eThekwini (Durban) fire brigade | 031 361 0000 |
| Mangaung (fire, rescue and disasters) | 051 406 6666 |
Sources: capetown.gov.za, tshwane.gov.za, joburg.org.za, ekurhuleni.gov.za, durban.gov.za and mangaung.co.za.
What to tell the operator
- The exact street address or nearest cross street, plus a recognisable landmark
- What is burning, and roughly how big the fire is
- Whether anyone is inside, injured or trapped
- Whether there are gas cylinders, fuel or chemicals nearby
- How the fire service can access the property
Stay on the line until the operator has what they need, and do not hang up to try another number unless you are told to.
Veld and informal settlement fires
Veld fires and fires in dense informal settlements spread far faster than a single structural fire and often need multiple stations. Report them immediately even if they look small or distant, and mention wind direction and what lies in the fire’s path, since that affects how the response is prioritised.
Related pages
- Municipal emergency numbers South Africa
- Disaster management contact details
- eThekwini emergency contact details
- Tshwane emergency services contact details
FAQs
- Is there a national fire brigade number? No. Fire services are municipal, but 112 works from any mobile phone anywhere in South Africa and will route your call.
- Does 112 work without airtime? Yes, from any mobile phone on any network.
- Should I try to put the fire out myself? Only if it is very small and you have a clear escape route. Otherwise get out, stay out and call for help.