Highly flammable storage containers explode in Isando fire

EIGHT fire engines were on site to extinguish a fire that left a number of highly flammable storage containers destroyed at a business in Isando on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services confirmed they received a call to inform them of the fire on Anvil Street at 1.06pm.

Contrary to initial reports which stated the fire was at Barloworld, the containers that caught fire belong to PX Spoornet and were either situated next to or on Transnet Freight Rail premises. These premises are next to the railway line and are right next to Barloworld Logistics, with only a fence separating the two properties.

Spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Emergency Services, William Ntladi, said they would need to clarify to which company the containers belonged.

More photographs from the scene

Ntladi told EXPRESS the containers were “well alight” when the fire brigade arrived at the scene. The containers were loaded with different materials, including plastic.

“Upon arrival we tried to contain the fire immediately before it spread to the rest of the containers. This was not easy because of the strength of the wind. Although it was a challenge, we managed to put out the fire before it spread to the rest of the containers, which are made from fiberglass, a highly flammable substance,” Ntladi explained.

A hydrolic platform (HP) fire engine was used to fight the fire, which gave fire fighters access from the top of the property, making it easier to take out the flames.

Ntladi said there were “heavy explosions”.

“The cause of the fire is not yet known and investigations will be conducted.”

No injuries were reported and ambulances from emergency services and ER24 were on standby at the scene. The fire was contained at about 4pm.

OR Tambi Airport later reported on their Twitter page they were experiencing no flight delays due to the heavy smoke in the air and any changes would be communicated when necessary.