Following the explosions that rocketed the area of Woodstock on Thursday evening with the resulting fire in the local corner shop, inspectors from the City’s Fire & Rescue Safety division were on scene last night and again this morning where they were joined by the South African Police Service bomb squad.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a gas leakage, after 2 x 48 kg gas bottles were found inside the premises. The gas canisters were themselves still in tact, but evidence suggests that gas was possibly used for basic cooking purposes after a 2-plate gas cooker was found towards the back of the shop in close proximity to the canisters.
Officials say it is believed that due to the increased pressure of the larger canisters, a leak could have developed and since gas is heavier than air, it is believed that the gas created a “blanket” that crept along the floor until the shop had become completely saturated, including soaking the clothes of the 2 victims unbeknownst to them, as they were standing behind a counter close to the entrance of the shop.
WATCH: Woodstock building gutted in fire
Fire experts say ignition would have come from any of the induction motors used to drive the refrigeration equipment, which would have then ignited the pocket of gas that had filled the premises.
With the sudden expansion of mass resulting, the windows and shop front exploded out to the street, followed by debris from inside the shop.
The neighbouring take-away shop was not affected by the fire and has suffered only smoke damage, with slight damage to a dividing wall, but no structural damage evident.
The scene has been handed over to SAPS for further investigation.
The City of Cape Town’s Fire Safety division does undertake compliance inspections where complaints are received from the public. To date, no complaints were received for fire safety related aspects for the premises in question.
Fire Safety
The City says the importance of fire safety remains an important aspect for all property owners to consider, and likewise the tenants that operate such properties. Safety requirements as stipulated within the SANS10087 manual, as well as the City of Cape Town Community Fire Safety by-law applies to all.
As in this case, the use of 48kg gas cannisters within a premises is strictly prohibited, with the limitation allowing only for use of canisters up to 19kg’s and if installed and used correctly and operated under a valid Certificate of Compliance.
