Pungent gas smell engulfs Organic Market residents
ALEXANDRA – Gas leak smell leaves Organic Market residents worried.
Residents of Organic Market informal settlement in Kew risked their health on 14 January after a gas pipe started leaking next to their houses.
The settlement neighbouring Alexandra was exposed to the gas fumes from about 7.30am to late afternoon before workers of Egoli Gas Company
came and dealt with the leak which was under a dumpsite. The workers suspected the leak could have been caused by whoever had earlier collected rubbish from the site using equipment that could have damaged the underground pipe.
The pungent smell of the gas mixed with sludge and water was nauseating. Resident and tailor Aseuvao Nemarogolo who works in the open near the site said they had to endure the smell and feared any accidental fire, fanned by an incessant breeze, could have engulfed most of the homes.
Others shook their heads, signalling displeasure at the smell and expressed their worry of potential health risks later.
An Egoli worker assured that the gas was not flammable. An emergency management unit truck was stationed nearby for precaution.
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