Warehouse blaze still burning
The warehouse fire is still burning after firefighters battled the flames overnight in an effort to contain it and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring warehouses.
BILLOWING black clouds of smoke can still be seen across Durban today as the blaze that broke out in a warehouse in South Coast Road around 9am on Friday morning, continues to burn despite the valiant efforts of firefighters who have worked around the clock to contain the inferno.
The warehouse, which is estimated to be around 204 000 square metres in size, is said to be the biggest fire Durban firefighters have ever attended to.
Yesterday, thick black clouds of smoke could be seen over Durban, stretching as far as uShaka airport. Fire rescue and emergency services shut down the M4, the M7 and Ewin Swales Drive and South Coast Roads were closed and by Friday night, with strong winds fuelling the fire and threatening adjacent warehouses, SAPS approached neighbouring businesses and requested that they cease all operations. There was some talk of evacuating neighbouring commercial and residential areas, but fortunately this drastic step was not necessary as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
More than 20 fire trucks were used and by late last night, bulldozers were being used to douse the fire with sand. Only two people were reported being treated for injuries. No further injuries were reported overnight.
There has been an outpouring of support and gratitude to all firefighters and emergency services who are working around the clock. Drop off points were set up for refreshments for the firefighting teams and Gift of the Givers also sent a truck laden with food and refreshments for exhausted firefighters.
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