A SOUTH Durban-based environmental organisation is calling for a full investigation to be conducted after another fire broke out at a motor spares company on Jacobs Road in Clairwood on August 17, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.

Also read: Just in: Fire erupts at tyre factory on Jacobs Road

Chairperson of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), Desmond D’sa, said the fire will have dire consequences to the surrounding community.

“When I drove past the area in the morning on Sunday, everything seemed normal, so something must have triggered the blaze.

“We are calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of this incident. The air pollution officer has also been notified due to concerns about the smoke and its impact on the environment,” said D’sa.

D’sa said the recent fire had a huge impact on the community, with many struggling to breathe due to the toxicity of the thick black smoke.

“The surrounding environment has been severely affected by the black soot. Driving through Clairwood on Sunday and speaking with residents was an eye-opener, as many complained that their white cars were covered in black soot. The soot had also settled inside their homes and on their garden produce, coating the leaves. Even their roofs were blanketed in black soot,” he added.

Divisional Commander for eThekwini Fire, Sifiso Mtshali, said it took nearly 45 minutes to bring the blaze under  control.

“Although the exact cause has not yet been determined, we suspect the fire started while workers were doing burning work in the scrap yard. Our team managed to contain the blaze and saved the two adjacent buildings. The building at the centre was the only one completely gutted,” Mtshali said.

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