A fire destroyed about 200 imported Japanese cars in Durban on Wednesday, the city’s fire department said.
The fire broke out at about 4.30pm on the fifth floor of the building on the corner of Anton Lembede and Roy streets. The building contained about 1 500 cars.
The fire department’s Trevor Stevens said only 200 of the 1 500 cars that were in the building were destroyed. Firefighters managed to contain the fire on the fourth floor. The fifth floor, which was full of cars, was completely destroyed.
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.
Mlaba said the cause of the fire would be investigated. — Sapa