WATCH: Food warehouse collapses after it catches fire in Germiston

A food warehouse that caught fire in Elandshaven Extension Four in Germiston South last week Thursday collapsed during the night following the fire, Germiston City News reports.

District manager and media liaison officer at DEMS William Ntladi said they received a call about the fire at about 8.16am about a structural fire on Houtbaai Street, Culverwell Industrial Park, Elandshaven.

“Fire and rescue teams from the City of Ekurhuleni merged their response at the time because this was the second structural fire in the area on the same day. By that time we were on the scene of another fire at a paper recycling company a few kilometres from the warehouse.

“We had to share resources and ensure these two fires don’t spread,” said Ntladi.

Firefighters from different stations assisted in containing the fire.

“We had Alberton augmented by teams from Zonkizizwe, Palm Ridge, Hlahatsi and Thokoza fire stations responding.

“A total of 48 firefighters, inclusive of officers and a fleet of eight fire engines in their different expertise, battled the blaze and managed to extinguish it,” said Ntladi.

He said offensive fire suppression was the initial manoeuvre applied to prevent possible fire spread to the nearby warehouses.

“The team was divided into three sectors to battle the blaze from three extents. By midday the fire was contained and under control,” said Ntladi.

“After getting the fire under control we had to damp down the hot spots. The structure’s metal section crumbled due to excessive heat from the burnt content,” said Ntladi.

He said it was discovered inside the warehouse that various foodstuffs had burnt to ashes.

“The cause of the fire is undetermined; however, preliminary information received on scene states that it might be an electrical fault.

“After completion and safety of the scene, the investigations will be conducted to determine the actual cause,” said Ntladi.