/ 27 January 2003

268 houses, 30 factories damaged in Jo’burg blast

A total of 268 houses and 30 factories were damaged in the explosion that destroyed a fibreglass factory in Robertsham on Saturday, Johannesburg’s emergency services said on Monday.

The roofs of some of the houses were destroyed, while other roofs were damaged, representative Malcolm Midgley said. Windows were also blown out.

He estimated that about 10 houses were damaged to such an extent that the occupants were not yet able to return. Inspections to determine whether the houses were safe were being conducted on Monday.

The factory, adjacent to Harvey’s Fibreglass, where the explosion occurred, was destroyed, Midgley said. He said an investigation into the cause of the incident had

started.

It involved various parties, including the fire department, disaster management, fire safety and the SA Police Service. – Sapa