Emergency services battle factory blaze

GOSFORTH PARK – William Ntladi, the media liaison officer for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services, told the Germiston City News (GCN) that the fire erupted at about 6.45am, as the night shift personnel were knocking off from the company.

“They apparently smelled something burning and, after a while, they realised there was a ball of fire within the company,” Ntladi said.

“They tried to extinguish the blaze using fire extinguishers, but failed.

“The employees said they were overcome by the smoke and all 25 of them had to evacuate the premises, seeing that the fire was growing at a fast rate.”

When the first fire engine arrived the factory was well alight and activation of the back-up stations was initiated immediately.

The fire was contained and prevented from spreading to neighbouring structures.

By 2pm the firefighters had totally extinguished the fire and the scene was cordoned off due to the instability of the structure.

The cause of the fire is still undetermined.