Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has stated that Egoli Gas is still at the centre of the investigation into Wednesday’s explosion in the Johannesburg CBD.
On Thursday morning, Lesufi briefed the media on the explosion.
This came after preliminary reports that an underground gas pipeline had exploded, inflicting considerable damage to the area.
Following the explosion, at least one person was killed and 48 others were injured.
Twelve patients are being treated in different hospitals.
Lesufi emphasised that the gas company is still the focus of attention.
“Egoli gas remains our centre of focus because all of us agree that the cause of this either explosion or impact is gas so that we can isolate all institutions that have the legal mandate to deal with gas. We now know that Egoli Gas is a have a blue line that is an 80mm steel pipe that cuts across Eloff and Lilian Ngoyi Street, but we are told that it is a low-pressure facility.
“We also have 355mm high-density PP pipe that goes through Bree Street as well, but we are also advised that it is a low-pressure pipe as well. There is another 355mm high-density PP pipe which we have been advised that that’s the high-pressure pipe that is running at 22 KPA and it’s situated between the two street blocks.
“North from the incident and east to the west, we have them to identify all their pipes, and they have given us this information, and we will then hand over this information to experts and they can then advice us on how to take this process forward.”
Egoli Gas on Wednesday evening issued a statement disputing that the company was responsible for the explosion stating that it is unlikely that a gas pipeline or leak to have been the cause.
“Our network has experienced no pressure loss which indicates the gas pipelines are intact. Our customers in the area continue to receive gas uninterrupted. Our gas pipelines operate at extremely low pressure providing a safe gas supply in highly built-up areas, and are therefore unlikely to cause an explosion or explode.
“Initial reports have shown the collapse in the road to be mainly in the centre. Our gas pipelines are located in the road servitudes on the sides of roads. Our teams are on site investigating for any gas leaks. They have found none so far.
“We reiterate that our gas pipelines are on the side of the road in road servitudes which are intact in the CBD, including Bree Street. We urge the public not to make assumptions at this time. We are cooperating with all emergency services and other services on-site.”
