Team to probe cause of Durban fire

Government officials and Transnet executives conducted a site inspection at the warehouse that was razed in a massive blaze at the weekend. Picture: DOCTOR NGCOBO

Government officials and Transnet executives conducted a site inspection at the warehouse that was razed in a massive blaze at the weekend. Picture: DOCTOR NGCOBO

Published Mar 29, 2017

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Durban - Transnet has accepted it was its responsibility to ensure that fire hydrants were serviced at a Durban warehouse where a major fire broke out on Friday.

This is according to Thabo Lebelo, Transnet Property chief executive, who along with government officials, conducted a site inspection at the 210000m2 warehouse yesterday.

Lebelo said that while the warehouse was being leased by another company, the property was owned by Transnet.

“What happened in the shed and the condition of the fire suppression system will be a part of the investigation. I am not in a position to speculate as to the condition of the system but as the owner of the shed, the responsibility of making sure that it works rests with us,” said Lebelo.

He said the warehouse was leased to a private company and it was unclear what materials were stored at the property.

“That company rents to the tenants and the tenants own the cargo.

“We do not know exactly what was in the shed, but that will also be established during the investigation.

Shed

“We will get a full listing of whose goods were stored in the shed and what sort of goods were stored here.”

Black smoke mushroomed from the site and clouds could be seen from as far afield as La Mercy.

eThekwini Fire Department officials and emergency teams went to the scene of the blaze that took almost three days to put out.

Yesterday morning, firemen could still be seen dousing smaller pockets of burning material inside the warehouse.

Fire chief Enoch Mchunu explained to Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Sihle Zikalala how firemen had tackled the fire.

Zikalala said his department wanted to assure residents, in particular those living in areas south of the city, that they were attending to the matter.

“We are working with all government entities to investigate the cause of the fire. We do not want to speculate on what Zikalala said air samples had been taken to determine the effect of the health of residents and the environment.

The Daily News yesterday reported that residents were demanding to know who would foot the bill for damage to buildings from the settled soot.

Greyville resident Bill Olivier said his building was painted nine months ago.

Jubilee Court, an art deco building, now has black streaks down the walls.

Insurance

Olivier, a trustee, said they were concerned that a claim from their insurance would raise premiums.

Molatwane Likhethe, Transnet spokesman, said a team would investigate the cause and the cost of the damage, including the environmental impact.

“We would like to give this process a chance to unfold without interference through speculation or pre-emptive scenarios,” said Likhethe.

Daily News

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