A welding accident in Benoni caused a massive fuel truck fire, igniting three vehicles and prompting an emergency response
Key Points
- Welding sparks ignite fire – A welding accident at a fuel truck company in Hillcrest, Benoni, caused a fire that spread to three trucks.
- Large fuel volumes increased risk – One truck carried 40,000 litres of petrol, while two others held 15,000 litres each, raising explosion concerns.
- Firefighters acted quickly – Twenty firefighters from four stations used foam to control the flames, preventing further damage.
- No casualties reported – Despite the intensity of the fire, no injuries occurred, though the incident posed a threat to nearby businesses.
- underway – Authorities are investigating the fire’s cause and assessing fire safety measures at the company.
BENONI, South Africa — A welding mishap at a fuel truck company in Hillcrest, Benoni, sparked a fire. The fire engulfed two articulated trucks and one rigid truck, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services arrived to find one of the articulated trucks fully loaded with 40,000 litres of petrol. An additional trailer carried 15,000 litres. A rigid truck, also involved in the fire, held another 15,000 litres, raising significant safety concerns. Though the second articulated truck’s trailer was empty, officials feared a potential vapor explosion.
“The fire was reportedly caused by welding work on one of the trucks, which sent out sparks that ignited nearby vehicles,” said William Ntladi, spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services.
Firefighters contain the blaze using foam
Twenty firefighters from four stations responded, using foam to combat the highly flammable fuel. Their quick action brought the fire under control within hours, preventing further escalation.
No injuries were reported, but officials said the presence of multiple fuel-laden trucks posed a serious threat to nearby businesses.
“The fast response and coordinated effort by our teams prevented what could have been a much worse disaster in this industrial hub,” Ntladi said.
Investigation launched into the cause of fire
Fire safety officials have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to the blaze.
