A fire broke out at a recycling company located on Marconi Drive in Newcastle on Thursday afternoon, June 8, 2023.
According to an eyewitness at the scene, the fire originated from a small fire allegedly started by an individual at a nearby business. The strong winds carried the flames onto the premises of the recycling company before they could be contained.
The fire rapidly spread, engulfing the items present on the facility’s premises.
Promptly responding to the emergency, firefighters from the Newcastle Municipality arrived within minutes to battle the raging inferno. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the situation is now under control.
Furthermore, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a warning for parts of Northern KwaZulu-Natal due to the heavy winds.
The current conditions, with a Fire Danger Index above 75, are deemed highly conducive to the rapid spread of fires. This can lead to potential loss of life, both human and animal, reduced visibility, property damage, harm to vegetation, as well as air and water pollution.
SAWS has specifically issued the fire warning for the following areas:
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Estcourt
- Dannhauser
- Utrecht
- Dundee
- Vryheid
- Nqutu
Given the persistent wind conditions, residents are advised to exercise caution and promptly report any fires they may encounter.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the incident and its implications in the comment section below.
