UPDATE: Two injured after Ethanol ignited in Spartan
“DEMS received a call and responded to a significant structural fire at a facility producing alcohol-based products."
Two people were injured when a fire destroyed a large portion of Siegwerk South Africa (a firm providing printing inks and coatings for packaging and labels) on July 3.
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Based in the Spartan industrial area, the blaze broke out at around 14:00.
William Ntladi, the spokesperson for DEMS, said two staff members were injured while trying to extinguish the fire.
“DEMS received a call and responded to a significant structural fire at a facility producing alcohol-based products.
“Although the exact cause of the fire is still unknown, preliminary information indicates there was a spark in the ethanol-based facility that ignited the entire building.”
Ntladi said firefighters were able to confine and extinguish the blaze.
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“I can confirm that two people were admitted to the hospital with minor injuries.”
Ntladi added that around 10 tons of an ethanol-based material caught alight.
“The company is rehabilitating the area cleared by rapid spill personnel,” said Ntladi.
A building is evacuated immediately in any fire emergency.
“Often, we ask neighbouring buildings or facilities to evacuate as well. It is a preventative measure and should be conducted in an orderly manner.
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“If asked to evacuate an area, stay calm and do as instructed by the fire officers or health and safety practitioners,” said Dale Gower of Jerico Training and Fire Industries.
He added that when leaving a burning building, everyone should stay as low as possible to avoid inhaling smoke or dangerous chemicals.
“Do not waste time returning for anything you think might be valuable.”
Gower also said anyone not trained to extinguish a fire should leave the premises immediately.
“It’s always helpful to have one or more members of staff on hand who are trained in basic firefighting. It helps to reduce the chances of injury or death and can mitigate the loss of property,” said Gower.
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