Metro firefighters responded promptly and effectively’ to Klerksoord inferno – Tshwane EMS

A thick black cloud of smoke loomed over Klerksoord, north of Pretoria, this past weekend as a devastating fire gutted a tyre factory.

The inferno, which broke out on August 16, sent towering plumes of toxic smoke across the Rosslyn and Klerksoord industrial corridor, forcing residents to grapple with air pollution and fears about the long-term health impact of burning rubber.

While the Tshwane Emergency Services (TEMS) confirmed that the cause of the fire has not yet been established, the DA accused the Tshwane metro of rejecting help from private firefighting companies that had offered to assist.

TEMS spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni dismissed the DA’s claims outright, insisting that the metro’s firefighting teams responded promptly and effectively.

“Our team deployed to the fire consisted of 57 firefighters, seven command staff, five water tankers, two fire engines, one ladder truck, one mobile command unit, one hazardous materials unit, two district commander vehicles, two foam tenders and two rapid intervention units,” Mnguni said.

He said five additional water tankers were deployed on the scene to provide further shuttling and supply.

According to Mnguni, the deployment was carefully co-ordinated to match the scale of the fire, which presented dangerous challenges due to the heat intensity and thick smoke that characterise tyre-related fires.

“Our teams worked systematically to isolate the fire and manage the intense heat and smoke conditions.

“Through co-ordinated action, the flames were contained, limiting the extent of the damage and safeguarding nearby communities,” he said.

But as fire crews fought to contain the flames, outside in Klerksoord and surrounding communities, the black haze hung heavy in the air.

Residents expressed alarm at what they described as a toxic blanket drifted over their homes.

“The smoke was unbearable. You could smell the burning rubber inside the house. I had to keep my children indoors the whole day,” said Mmaphuthi Mangena, a resident of Klerksoord.

Others feared the fire’s impact on the environment. Sello Moloi, who lives in nearby Rosslyn, said the plumes could be seen kilometres away and warned that the fallout might affect people’s health for weeks to come.

“It’s not just a fire; it’s poison in the air. We are breathing it, our children are breathing it, and no one tells us what it is doing to our lungs. Who will take responsibility?” he asked.

Residents living near the industrial belt said they often worry about the safety standards of factories operating in the area.

“This is not the first time we’ve seen smoke here, but this fire was on another level. The flames lit up the sky, and the smoke made it feel like midnight during the day. We felt trapped in our own homes,” said Mangena.

The Tshwane metro has filed a court application to enforce compliance with legislation against private fire services allegedly operating within its jurisdiction without approval.

According to the metro, these entities are operating without legal authority, regulatory approval, or formal agreements with the municipality, and this contravenes national and local legislation governing emergency services.

Metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, said this development presents serious safety, legal, and operational concerns that the metro cannot ignore.

According to Mashigo, “The provision of fire services is a constitutional mandate reserved exclusively for municipalities, as set out in… the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.”

He added that the municipal council must make any decision to outsource such services, following a rigorous process that includes public consultation, as required by the Municipal Systems Act.

“They interfere with the city’s command and control structures during emergency incidents, compromise incident scene management, and operate without public accountability,” he said.

“They draw water from municipal fire hydrants without authorisation, contributing to unaccounted water losses and violating city by-laws.

“They also issue No Burn Permits in contravention of the city’s official procedures, creating confusion and undermining the authority of legitimate emergency services.”

He said beyond the legal infringements, these private services function on a for-profit basis, selectively targeting affluent suburbs and industrial areas, while ignoring the broader community needs.
Mashigo added that the metro has made multiple efforts to engage with these entities, but they remain non-compliant.

The DA’s allegations that the metro refused private help have added a layer to an already complex crisis.

The party argued that more could have been done to bring the fire under control quickly if the metro had partnered with external firefighting services.

DA Tshwane spokesperson for community safety, Ally Makhafula, has called on the metro to regulate the use of private fire brigades instead of abolishing these services.

“Tshwane would rather choose an environmental disaster affecting the health and safety of an entire community before they accept the assistance of private providers.

“We believe that what happened confirms our belief that the municipality’s fire brigade includes excellent, dedicated professionals, but they are being asked to do more with less, while the need for fast, effective emergency response grows,” said Makhafula.

Makhafula said what the metro should be doing is working with provincial and national government to update the outdated regulatory framework, and create a clear, modern licensing system that allows capable private services to operate legally, transparently, and in support of municipal responders.

However, Mnguni stressed that the emergency department had sufficient manpower and resources.

He said the professional response ensured the fire was contained before spreading to neighbouring factories and communities.

“Our firefighters are well-trained and resourced for incidents of this magnitude. While we acknowledge the challenges, the successful containment of the fire proves that our approach was effective,” he said.

Residents are calling for regular inspections, better communication during emergencies, and a stronger commitment from both local government and industry players to protect the community.

“We need transparency. We need to know the risks we are living next to and what plans are in place if something like this happens again,” said Mangena.

AfriForum warned that the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s aggressive attack on private fire services is not only short-sighted, but also directly endangers the lives and property of residents.

Tarien Cooks, Disaster Management Specialist at AfriForum, said that although the metro already filed an application with the High Court against private fire services, the case has not yet been heard in court, and there is currently no court ruling confirming that these services are illegal.

“Contrary to the Tshwane metro’s unfounded allegations that private fire services are illegal, AfriForum’s legal team is convinced that there is no law that prohibits the establishment and operation of private fire services.

“Tshwane is struggling to stay afloat financially and should rather seize this additional capacity, in the interest of the residents, than turn it down,” said Cooks.

Cooks said it’s unacceptable that a metro struggling with resources chooses to pursue legal processes against institutions that act proactively and effectively in times of emergency.

Ward 98 councillor Mickey Van der Westhuizen said if outside teams had been allowed to assist, the extinguishing rate and overall outcomes could have been better than what was experienced on the day in question.

ALSO READ: Metro urges fire safety compliance ahead of peak veld fire season

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.