AS authorities this (Thursday) morning battled to extinguish a blaze at one of the import conveyor belt routes at the Port of Richards Bay, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) urged port users to take safety measures by avoiding the area and using PPE to avoid inhaling fumes.

This as the port was plagued with a second conveyor belt fire in a week, with TPT investigating the causes of both.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Fire damages conveyer belt at Port of Richards Bay This latest fire began at about 7pm on Wednesday, and by 8am this morning, the blaze had not yet been extinguished.

‘This will, unfortunately, affect TPT’s ability to service its customers. Of concern to Transnet is that this is a second incident, since we had a similar occurrence last week.

‘Transnet is investigating all these incidents to determine the cause,’ said the parastatal in a statement this morning.

‘The firefighters immediately responded, supported by the city and the industry on site, and they are doing their best to extinguish the flames.

‘The cause of the fire has not yet been identified. No injuries have been reported, and Transnet is engaging affected parties at the port.

‘Transnet urged port users in the Bayvue Precinct (along Newark Road) to take safety measures by avoiding the area and ensuring proper use of PPE so as to not inhale the fumes.

It said only the west gate entrance is temporarily unavailable.

‘The Business Continuity Plan has been activated by TNPA working in collaboration with TPT.’