Four people have been treated following a chemical incident at the Ecowize premises in Montague Gardens, with one patient transported to a nearby medical facility for further care.

City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services responded to reports of smoke emanating from the facility at around 15:30 on Monday, 12 January 2025. The first responding officer immediately identified the situation as a chemical incident and implemented emergency safety protocols.

These included the evacuation of the building, the establishment of an isolation zone, and a 300-metre containment area around the site.

Hazmat technicians were dispatched to the scene and conducted visual inspections to verify any thermal signatures and possible chemical reactions. They were working in fully encapsulated protective suits due to the hazardous conditions.

Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed at 7:11 pm on Monday that Hazmat technicians had completed their assessment.

The temperature of the container at the centre of today’s reaction has started stabilising. As it cools down, the chemical reaction will stop.

The vapour cloud that hung over the area has dissipated, and the area is deemed safe. The building has been ventilated and handed over to the owners.