By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A massive chemical factory fire in Germiston South has prompted evacuations within 500-metre radius after multiple explosions on Thursday afternoon.
Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) have taken extreme precautions due to gas tankers at the scene and unknown volatile chemicals stored at the Strachan Road facility.
DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi confirmed that multiple sections of the chemical facility were on fire on Thursday afternoon.
“We evacuated all the personnel and staff members around the factory itself until we find out exactly what chemicals they have and the dangers that are related to them, said Ntladi.”
“As a safety measure, everyone within a 500-metre radius of the factory has been evacuated, added Ntladi.
Preliminary information suggests that an undisclosed highly volatile chemical ignited due to sparking while being offloaded from a truck into storage tanks.
“The fire is currently extinguished, and teams are busy with damping down, cooling off all hot spots,” said Ntladi.
Meanwhile, Police in Mpumalanga are investigating the cause of fire that consumed two container offices at the Schoemansdal Police Station in Nkomazi.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Donald Mdhluli says no injuries were reported. He said several other items were destroyed in the blaze but the fire has since been extinguished.