Factory fire polluting atmosphere

A NOXIOUS cloud of black smoke which continues to billow from a warehouse ablaze in the south Durban basin could result in breathing difficulties‚ according to KZN paramedics.

The warehouse‚ understood to contain wax panels and other chemicals‚ caught alight shortly after 10am.

Since then‚ firefighters and emergency service personnel have rushed to the scene attempting to stop the spread of the fire.

KZN EMS spokesman Robert McKenzie said medics were on high alert for a surge in cases of respiratory difficulty.

“After every large fire we start monitoring to see if there is an increase in calls from the affected area for people complaining about respiratory complaints‚” he said.

“This … is a common reason for people phoning EMS and we will respond as required. If there is an increase we work with disaster management and environmental health to help the affected people.”

According to a well-placed source in Disaster Management‚ 59 000 tons of wax had been lost to the fire‚ and continued to fuel the flames.

Personnel are now working to contain the fire from spreading to other parts of the warehouse. — TMG