Firefighters were on Wednesday afternoon trying to contain a fire that engulfed a building full of second-hand cars in Durban.
The fire broke out about 4.30pm on the fifth floor of the building on the corner of Anton Lembede and Roy streets.
Firefighters managed to contain the fire on the fourth floor. The fifth floor, which was full of cars, was completely destroyed. It was not known how many cars were lost.
Several high-profile politicians, including Durban mayor Obed Mlaba, visited the scene. Mlaba described the incident as ”very bad”.
”It is unfortunate that the property has been destroyed. But I am glad that the firefighters are containing the fire. Our disaster management team is also here helping the firefighters,” said Mlaba. He was glad no one was injured.
”We have noticed that the building was very old. I do not understand why such an old building was used to store cars and containers full of fuel. I believe that a building like this is not suitable to store such things,” said Mlaba.
Spokesperson for ER24 paramedics Derrick Banks said one person was earlier reported missing, but it was later found that nobody was trapped in the building.
Mlaba said the cause of the fire would be investigated. — Sapa