A gas cylinder explosion sparked a fire that destroyed a four-room shack and threatened several nearby structures in Payneville on July 12.

According to the City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntladi, firefighters from the Springs Fire Station responded swiftly after receiving an alarm at 06:36.

Ntladi said the call was received as a walk-in at the fire station, and a crew of six firefighters was immediately dispatched with two fire engines to Sizani Street.

“On arrival, a scene size-up was conducted, a risk assessment was done, and additional backup was requested,” said Ntladi.

Ntladi said firefighters discovered that a large 48kg gas cylinder containing an unknown type of gas had exploded.

The amount of gas remaining in the cylinder could not immediately be determined. A second 9kg liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder was found nearby and remained intact.

He said that the explosion caused a four-roomed shack to become fully engulfed in flames. Five neighbouring structures and a sedan vehicle also caught alight due to intense radiant heat from the burning shack.

Ntladi explained that emergency crews launched fire suppression operations using two attack hose lines connected to the main fire engine. A third hose line was added after a third fire engine arrived with seven additional firefighters.

Ntladi said firefighters attacked the blaze from three different points, helping to prevent the fire from spreading further through the densely built-up area.

“Flames were extinguished from three cardinal points, preventing further spread to nearby structures,” he said.

He also said the search, rescue and recovery operations were conducted once the fire was under control, and no casualties were found on the scene.

The spokesperson noted that the scene was later handed over to fire safety officers, who have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion and the subsequent fire.

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