A Woodstock building has been gutted in a fire. Earlier, an explosion was reported in the building, on the corner of Plein and Victoria Streets. After the first explosion, several other secondary blasts occurred.

The City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue responded, with numerous appliances including aerial support.

Two injuries have been reported, with the two patients, being rushed to hospital with serious burn wounds. Several emergency services vehicles were deployed to the scene.

Woodstock building gutted in fire – Injuries

It’s being reported that the 2 wounded males had sustained 70% to 100% burn wounds. They were taken to the Grootte Schuur Hospital.

READ: Cape Town firefighters responded to more than 200 vegetation fires

The cause of the explosions has not been established yet.

Last night, councillor Ian McMahon reported that the explosion had occurred next to an eatery, Sheltchs BBQ Tonight.

Building Inspector deployed after a fire gutted a building

A Building Inspector was also dispatched to the scene. He could however not serve a Section 12 on the owner, as it’s believed the owner of the business is one of the two people, taken to hospital.

With the Woodstock building gutted in the fire, the city’s Solid Waste department was called in to assist to clear up the scene.

READ: Fire and Rescue Service Department

Meanwhile, the city’s Fire and Rescue Service have a list of TIPS for fire prevention and safety in the home:

• Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach.
• Cut candles in half to prevent them from falling over – and use a candle holder.
• Do not smoke in bed!
• If you can afford it, keep a fire extinguisher in your home; maintain it annually and learn how to use it.
• Keep a bucket of sand in the kitchen if you don’t have an extinguisher; throwing sand over a small fire, especially oil, can help contain it before it gets out of control.
• Keep a garden hose rolled up and ready in case of fire.
• Where possible, have more than one exit point from your house.
• Make an escape plan that the whole family knows about and can follow – see our Fire Safety: Home Checklist.
• Do not park in the way of a fire hydrant.