EGOLI Gas has vowed to put extra measures to ensure that accidents do not occur at its pipelines in the future.
This came after a fire broke out in one of Egoli Gas' pipelines, setting fire to a truck and part of a building on the corner of Bertha and De Korte streets in Braamfontein, Joburg.
The incident happened just after 3pm on Tuesday, 5 September. The fire was immediately contained by the city's Emergency Management Services (EMS).
Joburg CBD has become almost unsafe after a gas explosion in Lilian Ngoyi Street, formerly known as Bree Street, in July and the fire in a hijacked building in Marshalltown that killed 77 people.
But Egoli Gas has vowed to stay one step ahead and ensure that the city is safe. This includes exposing sections of the pipeline and casing to ensure the integrity of the network.
"Egoli Gas in conjunction with the executive team will put extra measures in place in going forward to ensure that an incident like this does not reoccur.
"A root cause analysis will be concluded, and agreement has been reached with the executive team of Johannesburg that JMPD and EMS will be informed of future work to assist with the management of traffic and public movement in areas where work is planned," Egoli Gas said.
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Meanwhile, Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said all necessary protocols will be put in place to monitor the scene, investigate the incident and keep the area safe.
He confirmed that the affected Egoli pipeline has since been closed and warned residents of the lasting impacts of the fire from the gas pipes.
"Residents in the area are advised that they may experience a strong gas scent and mustn’t be concerned as the gas is being released into the atmosphere and poses no risk to health and life,” said the mayor.
He further urged residents to not converge around a scene of disaster taking pictures and videos as opposed to evacuating and moving away from such scenes.
