A firewoman sustained nose injury and bruised upper lips last Thursday, following a man allegedly punched her on the face.

Delilah Alex was among a team of firefighters attending to a house being on fire at Hohola 4 in PNG’s Port Moresby.

PNG Fire Service reported on its Facebook page that being a firefighter was not an easy job.

It said it had its fair share of challenges when attending a fire call in a city like Port Moresby.

HER ACCOUNT OF THE INCIDENT 

Alex said her fire crew from the Boroko fire station on April 22nd were the first to respond after receiving a fire call at 10am.

In addition, she said the assailant later went up to the other firefighters.

Further, she said he began arguing with them for attending to the fire late and being slow in putting it out.

Furthermore, Ms Alex said after the assault, blood started gushing out from her nose. She retreated to the safety of the fire truck, she recalled. Related reading: https://postcourier.com.pg/female-firefighter-assaulted-on-duty/

St John Ambulance attended to her injured nose and bruised upper lip.

“It was disappointing to see a police vehicle which had arrived during my ordeal. But, they did not try to intervene or arrest this person,” Ms Alex said.

ATTACK CONDEMNED 

Waigani fire station commander, Superintendent Arifeae Farapo condemned the attack. More reading: https://pngsun.com/2021/04/26/parliamentarians-pledge-for-gold-standard/

He said the general public must be aware that it is home owners or landlords’ responsibility to keep their homes or properties fire safe.

He said the assault on the female fire fighter is unbecoming.

Commander Farapo is appealing to everyone to respect and assist the fire service and firefighters during a fire or other emergencies