A LOCAL photographer has described the heart-wrenching moment the fire gutted one of Durban’s most recognisable landmarks. Thando Njele was on her way to visit a friend when she noticed a ball of flame billowing from atop the Durban Christian Centre (DCC) Jesus Dome on Tuesday night.

“The traffic had come to a standstill and there were fire-fighters rushing to the scene and police directing traffic. You could see the fire from quite a distance because of the smoke coming out the top. When I eventually pulled over to take pictures, I saw absolute destruction. It was the biggest fire I’ve ever seen.

“It was heartwrenching to watch, it’s one of the most prominent landmarks in Durban. There were people praying outside the church as fire-fighters tried to put out the fire. They were using a large crane to douse the fire from above. It was just so sad,” she said.