Emergency services battled a substantial fire following the ignition of a 38,000-litre diesel tanker on the N4 westbound just before the M17 in Pretoria North.
The incident, reported at approximately 09:54am, resulted in significant disruptions on one of the region's major highways.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department mobilised an extensive array of firefighting equipment and personnel. Resources dispatched from multiple stations include two fire engines, two water tankers, one water carrier, one foam tender, two rapid intervention units, two hazardous materials units, one district commander’s unit, and one mobile command unit. Stations involved in the operation include Rosslyn, Wonderboom, Innesdale, Central, Themba, and Ga-Rankuwa Fire Stations.
In a collaborative effort, Madibeng Fire Services also arrived on the scene to assist in extinguishing the blaze, deploying an additional fire engine, one water tanker, a grassfire unit, and a Fire Safety unit.
As emergency teams work to contain the fire, the N4 Highway was closed to ensure the safety of both responders and the public. Traffic was rerouted to alternative routes, and authorities, including the Tshwane Metro Police Department and Gauteng Traffic Police, are managing the situation on the ground.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries linked to this incident, allowing responders to focus solely on controlling the fire and addressing any hazardous materials that may pose risks to the surrounding environment.
Authorities urge motorists to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic directives as the situation continues to evolve. The community is advised to avoid the area until it is deemed safe for passage, with updates expected as firefighting operations progress.
Pretoria News