DURBAN - THE South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) has called for an independent investigation into the recurrent fire breakouts in the province after the KwaZulu-Natal Resin chemical factory caught fire in Jacobs, south of Durban, on Wednesday.
The alliance claimed industrial fires were having a devastating impact on the health of residents living in close proximity and the environment.
SDCEA spokesperson Desmond D’Sa said in the past decade, communities in the South Durban basin had to endure the impact of these fires after breathing in toxic chemicals.
The fire started at 2am on Wednesday.
After fire fighters doused the flames, it re-ignited during the course of the day.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
“The swift action of eThekwini Fire and Emergency Services contained the fire and stopped it from spreading to adjacent properties. There were no injuries reported,” says Kyle van Reenen, Emer-G-Med spokesperson.
KZN’s Fire and Emergency Services’ structural fire response managed to put down the fire using an approach designated for chemical fires.
Zibuse Ngcece, regional commander of eThekwini Fire and Emergency Services, said they used water and a foam solution.
“We had an adequate water supply from the street hydrants. There was no challenges. The cause of the fire is unknown,” Ngcece said.
“An investigation into the regular occurrence of explosions and fires in Durban must be chaired by a retired judge or experts chosen by the community. It must be paid for by the government and the polluter,” said D’sa.
He said SDCEA has taken air samples for analysis and sent them to Pretoria for analysis. SDCEA has also requested health officials to visit the Jacobs area and assess the state of the affected residents.
KZN Resins, established in 1998, produces and distributes resins. The company manufactures unsaturated polyester resins and gel coats for the composite market, as well as alkyd and acrylic resins for the coatings and automotive industries.
EThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said the City’s Fire and Emergency Services remained on-site to extinguish any smouldering debris last night. He said officials would be on-site until the situation is resolved. The public will be informed of any new developments through municipal social media platforms.
“We are aware that there is toxic smoke being emitted from the factory. Areas affected include Wentworth and Merebank, but due to a change in wind directions, areas such as Clairwood, Montclair, Bluff and Mobeni may also be affected.
“As a precautionary measure, residents are advised to close their windows and doors and to put wet cloths over ventilators until the smoke clears. “Residents are further advised to refrain from outdoor activities from impacted areas,” Mayisela said.
The Engen Refinery in Wentworth exploded, and a chemical factory burned down in Otto Volek Road, in New Germany, Pinetown, last December. In July, the United Phosphorus Limited chemical disaster occurred, where thousands of chemicals were stored in Cornubia, north of Durban.
Daily News