Firefighters battled a fire in Strubenvale throughout Sunday night.
Emergency services initially received a call about a veld fire at around 3.31pm, but on arrival at the scene, the Springs Central Fire Station firefighters found a rubber factory engulfed in flames.
Due to the risk involved, additional resources were required from Brakpan, Selection Park, Kwa-Thema, Daveyton and Etwatwa fire stations.
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Thirty firefighters with a fleet of eight fire engines were on scene.
Large rubber bales used to manufacture various products, including conveyor belts, were lying in the backyard of Conveyor and Plant Services (CPS) Company.
It is believed the veld fire burnt through the fence and ignited the material.
The fire subsequently spread through the rubber material in the backyard, subjecting the structures and other neighbouring factories to fire.
“Direct defensive fire suppression was initiated upwind by the first arriving unit on scene.
“Sustainable water supply was connected from the street hydrants and relayed via the fire engines.
“As more resources arrived on scene, more attack lines were established to contain the blaze and structural protection.
“Six attack lines were established throughout the entire operation.
“Frantically working with company employees, fire breaks were made by removing unburnt bales of rubber with fork lifts,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for DEMS.
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The operation continued throughout the night under floodlights.
Fresh on-duty firefighters were later brought to the scene to relieve the already exhausted initial crews.
By Monday, the blaze had been extinguished and firefighters were cooling off the hot spots of the burnt material.
No casualties were reported.
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