On Tuesday, 5 September 2023, a gas pipeline caught fire in the central Johannesburg area of Braamfontein, causing an explosion that injured five people and damaged a truck and a building.
The fire was caused by an accident during maintenance work on the pipeline by Egoli Gas, a company that supplies natural gas to homes and businesses in the city.
The fire was quickly contained and isolated by the emergency services, and an investigation into the cause and the extent of the damage is under way.
Nana Radebe, spokesperson for Joburg EMS said: “The fire has been extinguished according to information we received, the Egoli gas team was working next to the truck and building and the truck caught fire, and the fire has been extinguished.”
Kabelo Gwamanda, the Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg was also present at the scene and confirmed that investigations into the exact cause of the fire are currently under way.
“The report came while we were sitting in council deliberating on critical service delivery reports, upon arrival it was brought to my attention that this fire erupted as a result of the maintenance of the pipe systems for Egoli gas. We are waiting for the investigation to conclude so we can know the exact cause of the spark which resulted in the fire,” Gwamanda said.
