One injured in factory fire
One person was injured and rushed to hospital after a fire broke out in a mattress factory in the Benrose Factory Park on Thursday, November 6, just before 1pm.
“It is believed the fire started in the area where they manufacture mattresses. One person was injured when part of the wall fell on him. He was transported to the nearest health care facility,” said Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson, Mr Robert Mulaudzi.
Mr Mulaudzi said the cause of the fire was still unknown and that firefighters battled for some to get the fire under control.
“The fire was eventually brought under control. When we arrived, the fire was covering some of the M2 highway, east-bound, and was affecting motorists,” he said.
One of the witnesses, Mr Neelan Reddy who works at one of the factories, said he was one of the first people to notice the fire.
“We first saw the fire because we are opposite them. We are the ones who called the emergency services. We went there to salvage what we could before we noticed that the roof was falling in,” he said.
Mr James Chauqua, a supervisor at the factory which burnt down, said the fire started just before lunch time.
“I heard people shouting, saying there was a fire outside. We managed to save a few items but the rest was left inside. The fire was getting out of control so we just ran outside,” he said.
Mr Mulaudzi said a fire investigating team will investigate the cause of the blaze.
