By Everson Luhanga
While many parts of the country were battling freezing cold weather brought by snow, Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) officials were fighting a fire that gutted a building.
A factory shop manufacturing tyres in Industria, west of Johannesburg, burned down on Saturday morning.
EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said firefighters responded to a fire incident at a tyre and rubber manufacturing company in Industria. “We received the incident call a few minutes before 06:00 on Saturday,” she said.
Khumalo confirmed the fire had been extinguished, and firefighters were conducting mopping-up procedures. No injuries were reported.
“The cause of the fire will be investigated once operations are completed,” she added.
Khumalo said that although the company owners couldn’t estimate losses, they reported massive damage.
The City of Johannesburg’s EMS urges companies to ensure the safe storage of chemicals and flammable materials, adhering to city by-laws. Non-compliance endangers residents and can lead to hefty penalties and criminal charges.
Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, a one-storey building caught fire in Jeppestown.
Multiple shacks inside the building were destroyed by the fire, resulting in one person being injured.
EMS said the victim suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
Pictured above: A building that caught fire in Industria, west of Johannesburg.
Source: EMS
This article has been updated.
