WATCH: Fire ongoing as 13 injured in central Durban blaze
The fire was still blazing when the Berea Mail arrived at the scene at about 12:30.
THICK smoke clouds fill the air after a structural fire broke out at a shopping mall at the intersection of Dr Pixley Kaseme and Brook Street in central Durban on Friday, January 21.
When the Berea Mail arrived on scene at approximately 12:30, the fire was still blazing.
According to Kyle Van Reenen, of Emer-G-Med Paramedics, the fire broke out just after 10:00.
“A total of 13 people were treated for injuries, ranging from minor to moderate, and taken to various hospitals,” he said.
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As emergency services arrived on the scene, it was believed that five people were trapped in the building. At about 11:30, Van Reenen confirmed that another four people had been rescued from the flaming building.
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“Reports from the scene are that a a fire broke out on one of the floors and Ethekwini Fire and Rescue services, together with Metro Police and SAPS Search and Rescue, had to use high rise ladders to gain access to rescue them,” said Van Reenen.
At about 12:30, Garrith Jamieson of Advanced Life Support Paramedics said three people were treated on the scene for moderate injuries and taken to a nearby hospital.
“One person sustained moderate injuries after attempting to escape the fire and jumping out one of the windows. He was stabilised on the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital,” said Jamieson.
Police closed Dr Pixley Kaseme Street to traffic. At this stage, the cause of the fire is unknown. SAPS will be investigating.
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