A huge cloud of smoke and flames caused panic amongst businesses and members of the public today when an explosion was heard in Dr Beyers Naude Street.

The incident occurred at around 13:30, and luckily, the fire brigade, who were already in the area, responded immediately and extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading.

The suspect who apparently started the fire was found on the scene. The man claimed he wanted to burn unwanted rubbish and stated he took the necessary precautions to prevent the fire from spreading.

Leading firefighter Truman Mnisi, who extinguished the fire, confronted the man and told him that it was against the law to start a fire in a built-up area.

According to senior firefighter George Nyaole, scrap metal was found in the remains of the fire and gasoline was presumed to have ignited the fire.

According to surrounding businesses, a scrap metal yard occupied the premises and left about three months ago.