A woman narrowly escaped a potentially fatal blaze after becoming trapped inside a burning church in Umbilo on Wednesday evening, 14 October, as eThekwini firefighters battled intense heat, thick smoke and highly combustible materials to bring the fire under control.
The fire engulfed a double-storey building at the corner of Umbilo Road and Che Guevara Road, which houses a tyre fitment centre on the ground floor and a church on the upper level.
According to the eThekwini Municipality, its Emergency Call Centre received reports of the fire at approximately 8.20pm, prompting the immediate dispatch of firefighting crews.
Upon arrival, firefighters discovered that both floors of the building were engulfed in flames, with stored tyres on the ground floor posing an additional fire hazard.
Despite the dangerous conditions, firefighters entered the smoke-filled building and successfully rescued a woman who had become trapped inside the church.
She received medical treatment at the scene for smoke inhalation before being transported to hospital for further care.
In a swift response, firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within just 10 minutes of arriving, preventing the flames from spreading to neighbouring properties and potentially averting a much larger disaster.
No fatalities or additional injuries were reported.
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, preliminary information suggests that an incendiary device may have been thrown at the building. However, this has not yet been confirmed, and fire investigators are working to establish the exact cause and origin of the blaze.
The municipality has urged residents and business owners, particularly those storing flammable materials, to ensure that adequate fire safety measures are in place to protect lives and property.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is encouraged to contact the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Residents can report fires and other emergencies to the City’s Emergency Call Centre on 031 361 0000.
