A series of blasts were heard coming from a factory in Isando before it went up in flames just before midnight last night.

Ekurhuleni Emergency Services firefighters battled to halt the massive fire that erupted at GUD Filters, which lasted well into the early hours of Friday morning.

“A bunch of us heard the explosions and went outside to ask the security guard what was going on. He told us the explosions were coming from GUD Filters,” an eyewitness working at a nearby factory, told EXPRESS.

The witness said they heard at least five explosions go off within the space of about 10 minutes. As he and his colleagues went to go investigate what was going on, they found the building already engulfed in flames.

Ekurhuleni Emergency Services spokesperson, William Ntladi, said initially only response teams from Kempton were dispatched to the scene. However, after they realised the magnitude of the fire and the risk involved, backup was immediately called.

According to Ntladi, a massive amount of oil stored in 210 litre metal drums, eight vehicles parked on the premises and the warehouse were on fire when the firefighters arrived. The fire had already started spreading to a neighbouring factory, ACTOM (PTY) LTD, causing extensive damage to both companies.

“Backup was summoned from other local fire stations and Primrose, Tembisa, Boksburg and Commercia all responded to the scene for intervention. A total of seven fire engines and 38 firefighters all worked as a unit to extinguish the blaze,” Ntladi explained.

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The witness said the experience was quite scary, “because we just heard bangs go off, one after another, we didn’t know whether to duck an dive or run away.”

He said emergency services were still at the scene when they went home this morning at about 6am.

“After hours of intense battle, the fire was ultimately contained and extinguished. Roads surrounding the company were lengthily affected as all emergency vehicles were directly operating and sourcing water from nearby fire hydrants across the roads. Subsequently, motorists had to be rerouted to alternative routes,” said Ntladi.

The witness said employees from a factory next door also had to evacuate their building because of the fire but fortunately their factory did not burn down.”

Ntladi confirmed this, saying other neighbouring companies were shut down temporarily for safety reasons. According to Ntladi, the fire is alleged to have started in the oil warehouse before spreading to the rest of the establishment.

Fortunately, no one was injured and investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire.

Emergency services are still at the scene to ensure the the building is completely safe and secure.

Express is awaiting comment from GUD Filters.