PICS| Chemical Inferno Rocks Germiston: Explosions Force Mass Evacuation After Factory Fire

Germiston was rocked by a fierce structural fire on Thursday after flames tore through the Rolfes Chemical Company premises in Germiston South.

The blaze involved volatile and highly flammable chemicals, triggering several powerful explosions that echoed across the industrial area. Authorities immediately evacuated hundreds of workers, including employees from neighbouring factories, as a precaution.

Manufacturing activities at surrounding businesses were temporarily suspended while emergency crews worked to contain the situation.

Explosions and Toxic Risk Force Defensive Firefighting Strategy

Ekurhuleni Emergency Medical Services spokesperson William Ntladi confirmed that one man suffered second-degree burns to his lower body and was taken to hospital for treatment.

“Upon arrival, firefighters conducted a scene size-up and risk assessment, which led to the evacuation of the affected area. Crews adopted a defensive firefighting strategy to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring businesses.”

Ntladi explained that firefighters encountered serious obstacles as heated metal containers continued to detonate during the operation.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Legal War Explodes: Mkhwanazi Drags Calvin Mathibeli To High Court Over ‘Defamatory’ Claims

“Teams worked to defensively protect an adjacent recycling company and other nearby businesses from potential ignition,” he said.

Germiston Streets Closed as Investigators Probe Cause of Chemical Blaze

As a safety measure, authorities shut down streets surrounding the factory to both vehicles and pedestrians while emergency operations were underway.

Preliminary investigations suggest that an undisclosed, highly volatile chemical may have ignited after a spark occurred during the offloading process from a truck into storage tanks.

Emergency teams remain on high alert as assessments continue to determine the full extent of the damage and ensure the area is secure.