As we are now all aware, yesterday afternoon the City experienced an explosion Bree Street that has now been confirmed to have claimed a single life and to have left 46 people injured and hospitalized.
Our teams are engaged in an exercise to identify the deceased and to notify his next of kin. Many of those hospitalized were treated for minor injuries and have since been discharged from the respective health facilities.
Some people are still hospitalized and we remain confident they will recover fully and soon.
Let me from the onset commend the work of the various first responders that attended to the scene. The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS), South African Police Services (SAPS), Gauteng Provincial Government Ambulance services and key private players in the security and emergency response services who joined the effort.
Within an hour of the explosion, plans were afoot to manage the scene, search for survivors and any fatalities, locate the source of the explosion and secure the perimeter of the site.
For those who were present here at Mary Fitzgerald Square, they would have witnessed the rapid deployment of Command Units and support resources to immediately coordinate all response efforts across all three spheres of government.
Let me express my gratitude to all the role-players involved for their commitment and dedication at this time.
SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
Immediate reports following the explosion, described the explosion as a gas explosion and the immediate concerns were that an eGoli Gas line was the source.
From yesterday evening, the City Engineers and Specialists from Johannesburg Roads Agency, Johannesburg Water, City Power and representatives of eGoli Gas have been on the site to ascertain facts on the source of the explosion and the triggers.
At this stage, our preliminary investigations have presented us with three possible scenarios for the explosion.
These are; ignition of Methane Gas in underground storm water systems due to sewerage ingress.
The second possibility considered is the ignition of natural gas, mixed with air (oxygen) in underground storm water drainage systems or service ducts.
The third and last possibility, is the ignition of gas from a gas pipe burst.
At this stage only one of the above potential causes appear to be warranted, accidental leakage of natural into the service duct reaching explosion concentration levels of 05-15% and was ignited by a source unknown at this stage. The source of gas in the service duct is unknown. Investigations in this regard will continue to try locate the source over the next few days.
Buildings adjacent to the collapsed road have been inspected and at this stage no signs of failure have been detected and the buildings are regarded structurally sound for occupation.
We have also assessed the gas leaking into the atmosphere and have been assured by the Environmental Services and Air Quality Controllers of the City that the gas leaking into the atmosphere poses no risk to residents and as its concentration reduces rapidly in open air. However, gas leaks into subsoil cavities such as basements can be fatal.
NEXT 72 HOURS
As the City we have established a multi-disciplinary team that is working around the clock to secure the site, conclude investigations and restore services for residents in the area.
Immediate Actions being undertaken are as follows;
- E-Goli Gas is currently shutting down the gas pipelines that run through the site of the explosion and this gradual shutdown will be completed in the next two hours by 10pm this evening. The process to perch the gas then will commence under supervision from the City teams on site.
- Johannesburg EMS has deployed a Fire Engine on stand-by duty at the site to monitor the site and be available to react to any incidents that may occur.
- Johannesburg Water has already isolated water supply to the area and has deployed water tankers to support residents in the area. This will also be augmented by the deployment of mobile ablution facilities to provide for residents in the affected area.
- Similarly, once the site is declared safe, Johannesburg Water will require three days to repair the sewer lines in the area to re-activate services
- City Power will also be deploying technicians to assess the power lines for damages along the 400 meters of the site and will only be able to re-energize the area once it has been declared safe to do so.
- JMPD and SAPS will barricade the area to limit access and movement to allow for the efficient management of the site and the creation of a safe environment that minimizes the risk to residents.
- The barricades will also be supported by 250 members per shift and this will be supported by 50 private security personnel from The Firm
- The City will also commence with the work of sampling all bulk service manholes in the area for gas leaks and ruminants. This will include the opening of bulk manholes belonging to City Power, Telkom and other service departments and entities. Some of the manholes are welded, due to theft and vandalism and at this stage we are unable to immediately open them for fear of igniting a further blast.
Where possible our teams, led by EMS, will be placing Positive Pressure Ventilation Fans down the manholes to blow out any gas that may still exist below. This is intrinsically safe equipment and will assist in the effort to disperse trapped gas.
Ladies and Gentleman, I wish to emphasize that the tasks we are undertaking are complex and at this stage will have to be handled with due care, and that no heavy equipment can be deployed to the site immediately. The digging and trenching to be done now will have to be done by hand until we are confident the site is safe and all hazardous factors are cleared.
At this stage, there is no need to evacuate the buildings in the area and as stated, Joburg Water will provide mobile water and sanitation services to residents in the area.
As the City, we are confident we have mobilized the best skills and expertise required to respond to the incident and we will over the coming days ensure residents are updated and informed on work being done to mitigate the risks and repair the site.
We have also deployed advanced technologies to assess and review underground damage to the infrastructure. The technologies deployed are world class and first of its kind on the continent and have assisted us to identify underground defects underneath the surface of the roads that are still intact and unaffected at this stage.
Let me once more extend our appreciation to the first responders from the City along with the Private Sector and Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce, who have been with us and supporting our efforts in response to this incident.
Lastly, we have also been informed of a blast this afternoon in Bramfischerville. Information available is that this was as a result of illegal miners and is in no way linked to the incident in the inner-City.
INFO SUPPLIED.
