Disaster Management and Emergency Response Teams Dispatched to Durban South after fire breaks out at Engen Refinery

4 December 2020

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has dispatched disaster management and emergency teams to the Engen Refinery in Merebank, south of Durban following a fire that broke out this morning. These teams which are from both the provincial government and the eThekwini municipality also include air quality, environmental management specialists and disaster teams.

Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Mr Ravi Pillay, is communicating with the Engen Leadership to facilitate the response. The primary focus at this stage is on attending to the fire whose cause has not yet been established and to prevent any threat.

MEC Mr Ravi Pillay; Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Mr Sipho Hlomuka together with eThekwini Mayor Cllr. Mxolisi Kaunda are coordinating the government’s response to the fire.

At this stage seven people have been treated for smoke inhalation. All are reported to be in a stable condition.

The Premier Sihle Zikalala is being kept abreast of the developments.

Further updates will be issued as the day progresses and new information is available.

MEC Pillay will be visiting the site, shortly.

Statement issued by KZN Provincial Government Spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso, 4 December 2020

Videos and pictures of a massive fire at the Engen refinery in Durban South coming through. This follows an explosion there. Emergency services personnel are at the scene. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/CMWVlNYKWt

— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) December 4, 2020