Authorities closed parts of Chris Hani Road following a massive explosion at a paint factory in Brairdene which claimed one life on Thursday, 6 May.
Emergency authorities, who were trying to control the blaze, said that they received a call at 12.45pm about a property that was engulfed by flames. Durban Metro had to re-direct traffic due to the congestion. Shawn Herbst, spokesperson for Netcare911 said reports indicate that a fire had broken out in a paint shop. “On-scene was eThekwini Fire and Rescue Services, Metro Police Search and Rescue, Marshall Security and the SAPS. During an assessment, rescue personnel found an adult male lying on the floor. The man was assessed however showed no signs of life and was sadly declared deceased by a Netcare 911 Rescue technician,” he said.
Herbst said circumstances leading up to the incident are still to be investigated by relevant authorities. Zanoxolo Shange, who works for a clothing company in the same building said she noticed flames emanating from the roof of the paint factory and quickly alerted her colleagues to get out of the building. Another witness who did not wish to be named said they were alerted by their manager to get out of the building because of the blaze. The owner of the factory who was present at the scene said that he was unable to comment at that point in time.
