UPDATE: Reddy’s Scrapyard fire destroys 30 cars

Some employees rescued pets which were on the property and a few vehicles. Pedestrians passing by attempted to assist, but the smoke was too much.

August 1, 2019

Sibonelo Mtshali 2 minutes read

REDDY’S Scrapyard, on the R82 in Tedderfield south of Johannesburg, caught fire on July 31.

About 30 vehicles in the scrapyard were destroyed by the fire.

The fire is believed to have started in the afternoon around 2pm.

Reddy’s employees said they saw smoke coming from the property next door and as they rushed to see what’s causing the smoke the fierce fire spread quickly towards them and they fled to safety.

About 30 vehicles were destroyed in a fire at Reddy’s Scrapyard.

Some employees rescued pets which were on the property and a few vehicles. Pedestrians passing by attempted to assist, but the smoke was too much.

According to Sector Two deputy manager of Compol Community Police De Deur Craig Clark, at first they received reports about a grass fire. However, the fire quickly spread to the scrapyard, reaching vehicles with fuel in the tanks and oil, which lead to an explosion.

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“The fire got quite bad and I asked people to remove themselves from the scene and save pets while we were waiting for help from the emergency services. It took the emergency services from Midvaal 20 minutes and the other one from Ekurhuleni half an hour to get there, but those one the scene tried by all means to save people and pets inside the property,” said Clark.

One of the employees of Reddy’s Scrapyard, Johannes Mokgothu, said the actual cause of the fire is still unknown.

“All we saw were flames and smoke and we fled to safety. It could’ve have been someone walking by who started all of this because now and again people pretend as if they are just walking by and end up stealing.