Cause of Bree Street explosion still a mystery

July 20, 2023 94

Authorities are still scrambling for answers into the cause of Wednesday’s Bree Street explosion, which claimed the life of one person and left 48 others injured.

It is reported that community members in the Joburg CBD were greeted by a loud noise as the famous Bree Street ripped open and taxis started flipping over.

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, says the gas company, eGoli Gas, and Sasol have been roped in to assist in getting to the bottom of what led to the massive explosion.

A command centre has been set up at Mary Fitzgerald Square to coordinate disaster management.

“Egoli gas remains our centre of focus because all of us agree that the cause of this either explosion or impact is gas so that we can isolate all institutions that have the legal mandate to deal with gas.”

eGoli Gas has meanwhile rubbished claims that the explosion could have been caused by a gas pipeline or leak.

The company says its network has experienced no pressure loss, which indicates that its gas pipeline is intact.

“Our gas pipelines operate at extremely low pressure providing a safe gas supply in highly built-up areas and are therefore unlikely to cause an explosion or explode.”

“eGoli Gas observed through various platforms and by onsite members that one or two manhole covers have been blown off, and a white gas-like substance is seen coming from these openings as well as some of the exposed cracks in the road. eGoli Gas would like to mention that our piped natural gas is not visible to the human eye, and this appears to be visible warm steam,” says the gas company in a statement.

Gauteng Police Commissioner, Elias Mawela, has called on anyone who may suspect that their relatives might have gone missing to approach authorities.

Mawela has also cautioned members of the public to refrain from camping around the scene as the area has not yet been declared safe.

“Through continuous communication with our communities to make them understand the danger. You will recall that the last incident we had in Boksburg some of the people there got injured cause they were curious and inquisitive.”

Following the Johannesburg CBD suspected gas explosion yesterday, 19 July 2023, which resulted in 1 fatality and 41 people injured, Premier @Lesufi this morning visiting some of the injured who are hospitalised at @CharlotteMaxJAH. pic.twitter.com/ef2v7524mZ

— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) July 20, 2023