A major combined emergency response has contained a large factory fire on Royston Road near Sobantu in Pietermaritzburg, preventing it from spreading to the surrounding industrial complex, which houses significant gas and combustible supplies. Emergency services were still on the scene fighting the blaze at a nappy and polystyrene manufacturing factory on Thursday evening, with firefighting crews called in for backup from surrounding areas as the fire intensified. Firefighters from the Msunduzi, uMgungundlovu, Howick, Ashburton and New Hanover fire departments were deployed to the scene, supported by private emergency services including ADT, Fidelity, Secure Fire and KwaZulu Private Ambulance Services.
About 35 firefighters are involved in efforts to contain the fire. Msunduzi deputy chief fire officer Shaheen Ballim said the fire is suspected to have started inside the nappy factory. The blaze is believed to have broken out at about 6.45 pm, while the fire department was notified at 7.14 pm, Ballim said.
Firefighters have been fighting the fire since their arrival. Thick black smoke could be seen rising above the area as crews worked under intense heat and heavy smoke conditions to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring buildings. No injuries or fatalities have been reported so far.
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However, Ballim said SAPS search and rescue teams are expected to conduct a search on Friday to confirm that no one was inside the building at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Ballim said there is currently no threat to other buildings.
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