Firefighters responded to a fire along Umhlathuzana Road, Montclair. It was reported that piles of dumped sulphur had ignited.
Image: Clayton Duranty
Emergency services were deployed to Umhlathuzana Road, Montclair on Tuesday following a hazardous substance fire involving sulphur powder, with residents reporting difficulty breathing due to toxic fumes.
Authorities confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into the matter and the source of the chemical is being sought.
The latest incident was confirmed by members of emergency services and follows at least one earlier sulphur-powder-related dumping incident in the same area, including an event reported on March 15 where sulphur powder was present but not burning.
Divisional Commander Nqoro Nqabakazi of the eThekwini Fire Department said crews were first alerted to a report of strong fumes and smoke on Tuesday morning before discovering burning sulphur at the scene.
“At approximately 10:00 a.m, the station received a report regarding a strong smell and smoke in the area. Upon arrival at the scene, we discovered sulphur burning,” the department said in a summary of the incident.
The eThekwini fire department noted that a similar incident occurred on March 15 where dumped sulphur was found along the road way, however there was no fire on that date.
Image: Clayton Duranty
Firefighters were required to use full protective equipment due to hazardous conditions.
“Due to the toxic smell and fumes, all personnel were required to wear full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including breathing apparatus, as breathing without protection was extremely difficult and posed a health risk,” the statement said.
Metro Police assisted in closing off the affected road while firefighting operations were conducted. While the fire was initially extinguished, reports of a flare-up were reported later on Tuesday afternoon.
EThekwini Fire confirmed that Environmental Services was informed to assist with the removal of the substance and to support further investigation into the origin of the material.
Nqabakazi noted that a similar incident had previously been recorded in the same area.
“It should be noted that a similar incident occurred on 15 March (Sunday), although at that time the sulphur was not on fire,” the department said.
“The repeated nature of these incidents suggests deliberate dumping, potentially at different locations. The responsible party is currently unknown, and further investigation is recommended,” the statement added.
A member of Security Force’s tactical unit, Clayton Duranty, said the response followed reports of a possible tyre or cable fire before crews identified a hazardous chemical substance burning on arrival.
“I received a phone call saying that there could be a tyre burning or possible cables being burnt. On my arrival, I noticed that it wasn’t. It was a sulphur that was on fire,” he said.
Duranty said conditions at the scene quickly deteriorated due to the fumes.
“People were battling to breathe,” he said, adding that he also required oxygen treatment after exposure.
He later added that emergency services had been called back to the scene after the fire reportedly reignited.
Duranty said the renewed flare-up underscored ongoing concerns about repeated incidents in the area and their wider environmental impact. He said residents were also raising health and safety concerns.
He said that the origin of the substance remains unknown but suggested repeated dumping activity in the area.
“Unfortunately we do not know who dumps it yet, but we will find out,” he said.
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