Two firemen sustained second-degree burns, and six people were rescued by firefighters after a factory caught alight in Jacobs, south of Durban, on Sunday. 

The factory manufactures shoes and sandals in several buildings on Brooklyn Road. In December 2019, a significant portion of the building was destroyed by a fire and has since been rebuilt. 

The eThekwini Municipality stated that in the early hours of Sunday morning, a fire was reported near the factories, initially thought to have been grass, bush, and/or rubbish on fire. 

During attempts to extinguish it, an explosion erupted from the main structure, and although no firefighters were inside, two members were injured.

In a report on the fire, the eThekwini Municipality stated that a rescue pumper and crew from Mobeni were dispatched, and on approach, the officer observed thick black smoke rising from an industrial site. 

Realising it was a factory fire, they requested additional resources, said Gugu Sisilana, spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality.

She said visible flames pulsating through the roof of the shoe manufacturing factory confirmed the seriousness of the escalation.

Another rescue pumper from Jacobs was dispatched, and due to the intensity of the fire, two more rescue pumpers and a water carrier were also called out.

Reports from the fire department stated that the fire had already spread significantly, with intense flames and thick smoke seen from the west-facing front. 

“An extension of the same factory on the northern side, used for storing shoe products and machinery, had also ignited. The factory to the south remained protected by favourable winds, and while nearby residential homes to the east weren’t threatened by flames, they were heavily affected by smoke,” Sisilana said. 

She explained that crews quickly established operational objectives: ensuring life safety, containing the fire, and fully extinguishing it. She said that factory managers confirmed all staff had evacuated, and no injuries were initially reported. 

RESCUE

Sisilana said that two hose lines were deployed to prevent further spread when a report came in of persons trapped in the southern factory. Crews acted immediately, rescuing six individuals from the first floor using a ground ladder. 

Once safely evacuated, teams returned to their positions, and more firefighting trucks arrived, including an aerial appliance, a turntable ladder, and a second water carrier. 

She said the fire ground crew was divided into four sectors that worked well in coordination, containing the spread and protecting exposures.

However, during operations, an explosion erupted from the main structure, triggering partial collapse and a high-pressure flame burst. Although no firefighters were inside, two members sustained second-degree burns and were treated by KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services and transported to the hospital. 

The fire was successfully contained after three hours.

The fire raised safety concerns among Wentworth residents bordering the factories, said Aubrey Snyman, eThekwini Ward 68 councillor. He said a meeting would be set up with the factory owners in due course. 

The municipality stated that all factories are inspected for compliance with various Environmental Health Regulations.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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