KZN oil factory blaze probed

Picture by Steve Middleton .Metro Police

Picture by Steve Middleton .Metro Police

Published Mar 27, 2015

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Durban - A “possible electrical fire” may have been the cause of the blaze that raged for hours at a Mobeni Heights oil manufacturing plant on Thursday.

This was recorded by Department of Labour inspectors in a preliminary report.

No further details were given of the cause of the fire at Africa Sun Oil Refineries.

The report said: “At approximately 4am, a fire broke out inside a sealed warehouse (in South Coast Road).

Sunflower oils and soaps were kept in this warehouse. The supervisor and three employees made attempts to put down the fire using installed fire hydrants, but failed.

“The eThekwini Fire Brigade arrived at approximately 5am and battled the blaze until early afternoon.”

The eThekwini Municipality last night confirmed it would conduct a forensic investigation and inform the department of its findings.

“Fire and Emergency Services, Engineering, Environmental Health and other emergency service units within the city have been on site to assess the situation,” said municipality spokeswoman, Tozi Mthethwa.

“Due to the extent of the flames, firefighters from four regions were deployed.”

Mthethwa said no deaths or injuries of civilians had been reported.

“However, three firefighters were treated for exhaustion and two for lacerations.”

Nearby buildings were not affected, contrary to some media reports.

The Department of Labour was still awaiting copies of the company’s safety management system documents.

“(The) copies were not obtained as the company was still to conduct an internal investigation… The whole site was cordoned off… and the insurance (company) has barred the employer from accessing the premises until the forensic investigation into the cause of the fire has been determined,” the report said.

Reports of risk assessment, health and safety, as well as safety precaution/instructions/training by the employer were also still expected by the department.

Further statements from other employees who got involved with the firefighting activities when the fire started, were still expected.

Yesterday, commuters on their way to work were caught in rush-hour traffic as motorists stopped to catch a glimpse of the flames. Roads quickly became gridlocked.

The factory produces cooking oil, beauty and laundry soap, and margarine.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen as far afield as Chatsworth, and residents in Wentworth complained of “raining ash”.

Other factories in the area took precautionary measures to avoid any damage.

Executive director of operations at Kansai Plascon Africa, Gary van der Merwe, said the company had evacuated its workers at the warehouse next to the oil processing plant.

“Look we (lost) operational time, and we have informed those we supply that there will be delays. The safety of our workers is most important.”

He said none of the company’s stock had been lost or damaged. The Plascon factory across the road was not affected.

Daily News

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