KANYAMA residents last night turned their anger meant for Zesco on Lusaka City Council (LCC) firefighters.

The angry residents injured three of the firefighters and caused damage to one of the recently-acquired pricy fire trucks.

According to a statement issued by LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba, the incident happened last night when fire fighters went to Kanyama’s Shula area to quench the reported fire.

Sichimba explained that fire brigade received a phone call around 22:00 hours from a concerned resident that one of the houses in the area was on fire.

“The fire truck and a team of fire fighters was immediately dispatched to the scene, but upon arrival it was discovered that in fact what was on fire was the Zesco transformer,” Sichimba told told #Kalemba.

He further explained that the team managed to quench the fire but soon after that, residents who came to witness the incident started pelting stones at the officers and equipment.

The irate residents demanded that fire fighters should restore electricity supply in the area.

Sichimba further narrated that the mob also accused fire fighters of contributing to the Zesco load shedding in the area.

“The incident resulted in the wind screen of the cabbin crew of the fire truck being shattered and three fire fighters sustaining injuries,” he revealed.

Sichimba said the team, however, managed to flee the scene with the help of state police.

Sichimba said LCC was saddened by the incident.

“LCC wishes to remind Kanyama residents in particular and Lusaka residents in general that the hostility being exhibited towards Council officials on flimsy grounds during their conduct of duty is not is not healthy,” he stated.

Sichimba said Kanyama residents know very well that it was not within the mandate of the fire brigade to restore supply of electricity neither did they have anything to do with load shedding.

“The mandate of the fire brigade is to save lives and property from fire and fire related incidences wherever and whenever duty calls,” he said.

He urged Lusaka residents to refrain from acts of violence and destruction towards Council officials’ and property.

“Residents should instead work with the Council to safeguard Council properties for public good,” stated Sichimba.