Emergency services contain gas pipeline fire after explosion
Emergency services quickly responded to a gas pipeline fire, successfully containing the blaze and preventing a potential disaster.
A gas pipeline explosion in Pretoria West on Wednesday was swiftly controlled by Tshwane Emergency Services.
The firefighters managed to contain the fire and protect the surrounding community from significant harm.
Also read: Gas explosion triggers mass evacuation of SAPS trainees in Pretoria
This comes after more than 2,500 Police trainees were evacuated after a gas explosion near SAPS Tshwane Training Academy.
According to spokesperson Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni, the gas pipeline fire was reported to the City of Tshwane Emergency Call Centre at about 11:48 due to the gas smell in the air.
“The centre immediately dispatched a rapid intervention unit from Philip Nel Park Fire Station and a ladder and a district commander’s unit from Central (Bosman) Fire Station to the scene. The Emergency Call Centre started receiving many calls from the public, who reported that there had been an explosion. The Emergency Call Centre then dispatched multiple additional firefighting resources to the scene.”
He said the first-arriving firefighting units found a huge fire due to a burning underground gas pipeline.
“An outbuilding structure was also burning, and firefighters extinguished the fire before it could spread to the nearest house.
“The gas pipeline fire was left to continue burning. However, firefighters initiated evacuation procedures in the area for a radius of about 500 m from the fire due to safety concerns.”
Mnguni said that multiple additional firefighting resources were dispatched from Innesdale Fire Station, Hatfield Fire Station, Atteridgeville Fire Station, Silverton Fire Station, Centurion Fire Station and Rosslyn Fire Station to the scene as backup.
These included two fire trucks, a foam tanker, a water tanker and a rapid intervention unit.
“Technicians from Sasol confirmed that natural gas was burning under pressure, and they assisted by shutting off the nearest valves that supply the gas pipeline. The fire was allowed to burn until the pipeline was empty.
“This was a defensive strategy to minimise the possibility of a secondary explosion that may have occurred if the fire were extinguished while the gas was still in the pipeline.”
He said the fire was extinguished at about 17:31.
“All those who were evacuated were allowed to return to their workplaces or homes after ensuring that it was safe.”
According to Mnguni no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Meanwhile, police said training has resumed and SAPS trainees are back in class.
“The SAPS appreciates the prompt response by the Tshwane Fire Department and Emergency Services unit yesterday regarding the extinguishment of the fire from an adjacent building near the Tshwane Training Academy. All staff and personnel that are working at the academy are also back at work.”
To report any fire incident, please call 107 toll-free or 012 358 6300/6400.
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