Two dead, evacuations under way as Durban south fire is 'contained'

Dawn blaze seen from 15km away

31 October 2021 - 09:41
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Firefighters have spent hours extinguishing a blaze in Horse Shoe Road in Jacobs outside Ethekwini.
Firefighters have spent hours extinguishing a blaze in Horse Shoe Road in Jacobs outside Ethekwini.
Image: ALS Paramedics Medical Services

A second body has been found and almost six hours of fire fighting efforts have finally brought a massive blaze in Jacobs, south of Durban, under control.

Explosions and rapid fires broke out in the area just after 3am on Sunday morning. Fire fighters, paramedics, police and metro police responded to the scene and battled the fire.

A truck has been completely gutted and a man has died in what appears to be a chemical fire in Jacobs outside Durban.
A truck has been completely gutted and a man has died in what appears to be a chemical fire in Jacobs outside Durban.
Image: ALS Paramedics Medical Services
The fire in Horse Shoe Road in Jacobs outside Durban.
The fire in Horse Shoe Road in Jacobs outside Durban.
Image: ALS Paramedics Medical Services

Shortly before 9am the blaze was contained, but a leaking fuel line in the area triggered emergency evacuation procedures. The cause of the fire was not known.

Pictures and video footage of the blaze have been circulating on social media. Investigators are yet to determine the cause. By 9am it was confirmed that two bodies had been found, a truck was completely burnt out and billowing smoke was visible from Glenwood, almost 15km away .

Garrith Jamieson of ALS Paramedics said they received a call between 3.30am and 4am on Sunday about a fire on Horseshoe Road in Jacobs.

ALS Paramedics Medical Services arrived on the scene to find that EMRS and the eThekwini fire department were already on the scene fighting the blaze. Early indications were that it could be a chemical fire, though unconfirmed reports on social media speculated that it had been sparked by botched efforts to steal fuel.

“It is unknown at this stage if there are any more fatalities, but it's crazy out there,” Jamieson told TimesLIVE.

“The exact cause of the fire is currently unknown however SAPS will be investigating further once the fire has been extinguished,” Jamieson said.

TimesLIVE


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