A fire broke out on Tuesday morning, 27 August 2024, at China City along Stephenson Street in Riverside Industrial, sending emergency services into action.
The blaze erupted shortly before 9 am seeing emergency personnel alerted to the fire raging inside the China City building, with people reportedly still inside.
Newcastle Municipal Fire Fighters responded immediately, racing against time to the scene.
Upon their arrival, it was discovered that the fire had originated in the staff kitchen area at the back of the China City building. The flames had already begun to ravage the area, but the firefighters managed to control the blaze before it could spread further throughout the building. According to an official source on the scene, preliminary investigations revealed that a large gas bottle in the kitchen was linked to the cause of the fire.
The building’s owner said, “The staff were in the kitchen making food when something went wrong with the gas bottle, and the fire suddenly erupted. Luckily, none of the staff were injured because of the fire.” Despite the relief of no injuries, several staff members were left in shock after narrowly escaping the kitchen as the flames spread.
Though the fire was extinguished within minutes, a broader concern has emerged across the region.
Following a weather warning issued by the South African Weather Service, MEC for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has placed disaster management teams on high alert.
KZN COGTA stated, “The warning indicates that the province will experience dry and hot conditions on Tuesday, 27 August 2024, which are conducive to the development and rapid spread of fires. This alert comes in the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept through KwaZulu-Natal last month, claiming 14 lives, destroying hundreds of thousands of hectares of grazing land, and causing significant damage to vehicles and homes.”
Given the heightened risk, KZN COGTA has urged residents across the province to exercise extreme caution due to the potential danger posed by wildfires. “Disaster management teams are strategically positioned in areas prone to runaway fires. MEC Buthelezi has called on all residents to remain alert, as wildfires can have severe consequences for surrounding communities,” the statement continued.
The districts identified as being most at risk include:
- Amajuba District: Newcastle, Utrecht, and Dannhauser.
- uMzinyathi District: Dundee, Nquthu, Msinga, and uMvoti.
- uThukela District: Ladysmith, Indaka, Okhahlamba, and Imbabazane.
- Zululand District: Vryheid, Pongola, Nongoma, Ulundi, and eDumbe.
- Mkhanyakude District: Jozini, Big Five False Bay, Hlabisa, Mtubatuba, and uMhlabuyalingana.
- uMgungundlovu District: uMshwathi, uMngeni, Mpofana, Impendle, Msunduzi, Richmond, and Mkhambathini.
To mitigate the wildfire risk, KZN COGTA has issued essential preventative measures, which are as follows:
- Avoid starting fires in open areas and never leave fires unattended.
- Do not discard cigarette butts from vehicles or in open fields.
- Refrain from leaving bottles in the veld, as they can magnify sunlight and ignite fires.
- Prepare and maintain firebreaks in a controlled manner.
- If a large fire occurs, report it immediately and move to a safe area to allow professionals to manage the situation.
- In the event of water shortages, use sand to help control the fire.
As firefighters successfully extinguish the fire in the Newcastle Industrial Area and the risk of wildfires looms large, what are your thoughts on these recent events?
Share your views in the comments section below.
