Explosion in Joburg CBD caused by gas leak

Explosion

Johannesburg — Investigations into the explosion in the Johannesburg CBD has taken a step forward as officials reveal the explosion was caused by a gas leak.

The City of Johannesburg gave an update on the explosion, with the Joint Operation Centre (JOC) announcing that the work of providing temporary relief to residents is going smoothly and resources have been strategically deployed to help support residents.

The Johannesburg EMS had completed an assessment of the area between Lilian Ngoyi and Loveday streets. It was discovered that the tunnel’s structural integrity was “deformed” and unstable and could collapse as a result of the movement of cars crossing towards the CJ Cronje building.

The area has now also been barricaded for the safety of motorists and pedestrians

Officials said the cause of the Joburg CBD explosion was “definitely a gas explosion” from a gas leak, but they were still investigating the source of the leak, while they have ruled out foul play by miners, terrorists and vagrants, IOL reported.

Floyd Brink, Joburg City manager, is leading a team of officials to take over communications of the explosion and during a media briefing, he confirmed officials had detected the old municipal gas line, which was still active, and said they would be working to close it swiftly.

Johan Lagrange, a civil engineer and a consultant for the City of Johannesburg, was speaking alongside Brink and said there is no evidence of foul play at all, TimesLIVE said.

“The ignition was accidental, and the cause of the gas explosion was the gas that leaked. The source of the gas is what we are trying to determine — whether it is an old gas line, whether it is from the tenant side or the client side,” he said.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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