FIFTEEN people suffered from smoke inhalation when a fire broke out at a commercial building in Escom Road, New Germany, yesterday afternoon (4 January).

Garrith Jamieson from Rescue Care Paramedics said paramedics together with the Durban Fire Department arrived on the scene to find parts of the building on fire.

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“Fire fighters worked quickly to contain the blaze. Fifteen people who were in the building were treated on scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation and were transported to various hospitals,” said Jamieson.

Emergency personnel had to close off the road while they worked to clear the scene. It is unknown what started the fire. SAPS and the Durban Fire Department will investigate.