Blasts, tremors in Pretoria explained

Explosions, which were part of a Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) project, heard in various areas in the north of Pretoria on Monday, caused a stir on social media.

Residents in Akasia and Pretoria North said they heard, and some even “felt” the blasts in their residential areas.

Facebook user Bets Ferreira wrote: “Six explosions heard here in Amandasig.”

More comments followed as more social media users joined the conversation, attesting to the same.

A message by the CSIR was then shared on social media, giving a simple explanation for the blasts:

“Please note CSIR testing today from 11:00 until 14:00. They will be doing loud blast tests. Thank you.

“P.S. It helps to lessen the shock, when doors and windows are kept open.”

CSIR spokesperson Isaac Mthombeni confirmed this with Rekord saying that there was “no cause for concern”.

“We have sent a notice to residents in the vicinity to inform them about operations beforehand,” said Mthombeni.

The CSIR-managed fires and explosions testing, training and research and development facility at Kloppersbos, Pretoria Central, aims to help achieve safe working conditions for South Africans in industries where fires and explosions may occur.

“The facility provides a full-scale surface testing facility for the evaluation of underground explosion suppression systems, the flammability of conveyor belts, dust suppression systems for continuous miners and similar investigations.”