Durban - A factory fire in Durban’s South Coast Road, which raged on Thursday morning was mostly contained five hours later, Robert McKenzie, spokesman for KZN EMS, said.
Commuters on their way to work were caught in traffic as motorists stopped to catch a glimpse of the flames from the Africa Sun Oil Refineries.
The factory produces cooking oil, beauty and laundry soap and margarine.
The plumes of black smoke could be seen as far afield as Chatsworth and residents in Wentworth complained of “raining ash”.
Montclair resident, Sthembile Mkhwanazi, said she became aware of the blaze at 5.45am.
“My mom woke me up and I could hear the explosions,” she said.
She said her house was at the top of a hill, and the factory was just down the road.
She said another friend in the area had become aware of the fire at about midnight. “So I’m not sure when it started.”
Social messaging networks were used to warn people to steer clear of the area.
“Fire brigade (is) busy with a factory fire in South Coast Road. Please stay clear of Africa Sun Oil Company,” read one such warning.
McKenzie said that three people, all firefighters, had sustained injuries.
He said the fire had spread to the neighbouring paint factory and continued to rage.
“There are about 15 fire vehicles on the scene, as well as several private and provincial ambulances,” he said.
When contacted by the Daily News for more information, the fire department referred the publication to eThekwini Municipality spokesman, Thabo Mofokeng.
Mofokeng, said authorities would be investigating.
“All we know is that our team on the ground has managed to control the fire and make sure that it does not spread to other buildings.”
He confirmed the fire started early on Thursday.
Meanwhile, co-ordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, Desmond D’Sa, said that many complaints had been lodged with the city’s Health Department in the past few weeks with regard to strong odour emissions emanating from this very company.
D’Sa called on health officials and the fire department to “thoroughly investigate” the incident with regard to safety procedures and standards, equipment maintenance, tank certificates and documentation as well as training of workers.
Daily News