Firefighters have contained a huge fire after a Jetfuel pipeline exploded in Alberton, east of Johannesburg.
The number of people living in nearby Verwoerd Park that had to be evacuated has increased to thirty.
They are currently being accommodated at a nearby community hall in Alberton. No injuries have been reported and no one had to be treated for smoke inhalation.
“There are two pipelines that are running parallel. The one is for petrol and the other is for Jetfuel. Jetfuel is the petrol we use for aircrafts. That’s the one that has been affected. By now the fire is under control. We are putting on foam to cover the fire so that is must not spread,” says Eric Maloka, Ekurhuleni Emergency Services Spokesperson.
Update: Situation contained authorities will continue to monitor during the day
— BlueHawkTactical (@Bluehawktactic1) December 31, 2019
Alberton gas pipeline : The lines have been shut down. They have reduced the radius to 500m. Disaster Management on scene. Waiting for the volume to reduce. pic.twitter.com/e7aYR0n5fG
— BlueHawkTactical (@Bluehawktactic1) December 31, 2019
High pressure gas line on fire near Alberton ??? UPDATE. It’s a HIGH PRESSURE GAS LINE. EVACUATE AREA IMMEDIATELY. Sasol and Transnet en route pic.twitter.com/9pFUpONVwm
— BlueHawkTactical (@Bluehawktactic1) December 31, 2019