Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) recently received an alert for a multi-vehicle fire on the N3 highway southbound, near Leondale Road in Phumula.
The call was received at about 9pm via the emergency call centre.
Firefighters from Vosloorus Fire Station, as the primary responders, responded swiftly to the scene, backed up by Wadeville, Hlahatsi, Zonkizizwe and Germiston Central firefighting teams.
Upon arrival, three trucks on the southbound carriageway were found to be furiously burning, as well as two others and a light motor vehicle on top of the bridge on Leondale Road.
“It is alleged that the perpetrators of the fires were protesters from nearby residential dwellings in Phumula section,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for DEMS.
One of the trucks was a fuel tanker with a 38 000 litre capacity and the others were multi-load trucks.
“The initial crews tackled the fuel tanker first as the main challenge and managed to contain the blaze before it could bring catastrophic repercussions to both the environment and human lives in the areas.
“Fortunately, the tanker was empty at the time of the incident,” said Ntladi.
Seven fire engines were committed to the incident, namely two water tankers, three Industrial pumpers and a rescue tender.
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Water had to be shuttled from nearby hydrants to fast-track the challenge.
The entire southbound highway had to be closed during the firefighting operations, as well as the area on Leondale Road.
Crews managed to salvage the five trailers and the fuel tanker with minimal damage.
Both roads were opened at about 4am the next morning for traffic after all the rehabilitation was completed.
The incident was handed over to law-enforcement officers on scene to commence with the investigation.
No casualties were recorded on scene.
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