DURBAN - CLEAN-UP operations are under way in Clairwood after a botched attempt to steal fuel from a Transnet pipeline resulted in a fire in which three people died.
The blaze alongside Horseshoe Road in Clairwood was brought under control on Sunday, Transnet confirmed yesterday.
Transnet spokesperson Saret Knoetze said yesterday that Transnet Pipelines and emergency personnel had worked hard to extinguish the fire.
“Transnet Pipelines, the eThekwini Disaster Management team and other emergency response teams worked tirelessly yesterday (Sunday) and throughout the night to bring the raging fire on the 24-inch multi-product pipeline in Horseshoe Road under control.
“The attempted theft incident resulted in an explosion of a fuel tanker and the death of three people. Transnet extends its condolences to the families of the deceased.”
Knoetze said teams were trying to make the area safe to begin repairs to the pipeline.
“The teams are now concentrating on making the area safe to commence with the repairs to the pipeline and remove the illegal fitting as soon as possible, to avert a security of supply challenge to the inland market area.”
Knoetze said Transnet was grateful to all emergency response teams, and warned that the dangers of tampering with high-pressure petroleum pipelines could not be stressed enough.
“Transnet would like to thank all emergency response teams, pipeline personnel, eThekwini Disaster Management, SAPS, fire departments and spill response teams for their support and management of the site. Their swift response averted what could have been an extremely serious disaster.”
The explosion resulted in the evacuation of 270 people from a nearby informal settlement.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sipho Hlomuka said displaced residents were assisted by the eThekwini Municipality and NGOs.
“As a result of the fire, 270 people from 130 households residing at the nearby informal settlement were temporarily displaced and the disaster management teams are working together with social partners to provide interim relief.”
Hlomuka warned that residents should not interfere with hazardous installations, and said law enforcement agencies should leave no stone unturned in apprehending suspects involved in tampering with installations with the intent of stealing.
EThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela yesterday confirmed that the fire in Clairwood was completely extinguished and that evacuated residents had returned to their homes.
“The city would like to inform the public that the fire that broke out in Clairwood industrial park yesterday is completely extinguished.
“People who were evacuated, who were within 500m (of the scene), have returned to their homes as it is now safe.”
Provincial police spokesperson
Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed police were investigating the fire in Clairwood.
“Late on Saturday night, unknown suspects operating two Bobcat excavators dug out a Transnet fuel pipeline valve alongside Horseshoe Road in Clairwood. In the early hours of Sunday morning, two hoses were attached to the valve and fuel was diverted from the high-pressure pipeline to an awaiting tanker truck.
“During this process, there was an explosion that resulted in a fire which spread rapidly, setting the partially full tanker alight and spreading through the adjacent buildings.
“Firefighters attended the scene and contained the blaze to the valve. The fire destroyed multiple structures. Members (of various police search and rescue units) conducted a search of the area in full bunker gear to locate survivors and fatalities.”
She said two bodies were found in nearby burnt out buildings, and one body was found near the pipeline valve.
THE MERCURY