Thandolwethu Moyo
Bulawayo – A haulage 30-tonne haulage truck ferrying hazardous chemicals burst into flames along Plumtree Road in the Belmont area.
This reporter, witnessed the truck engulfed in flames.
The driver, the truck which was pulling two trailers, stated that he was transporting chemicals from Harare to a local chemical center in the industrial areas.
The driver had parked the truck at the front gate of the factory awaiting personnel to offload his consignment. He left the haulage truck unattended and went to stretch his legs.
However, on his return he was met with a shocking sight – his truck was engulfed in flames.
The Fire Brigade was called and responded swiftly arriving at the scene before all the trailers were burnt. The fire response team quickly contained the potential danger from the inflamed chemicals.
Bystanders praised the swift response of the Fire and Rescue team, for quickly containing the blaze.
The driver, still in shock, recounted the incident,
“I parked the truck and went out nearby, and on my way back, I saw the truck burst into wild flames.”
Mhlangano Moyo, Chief of Operations at Famona Fire Brigade Station, confirmed that the truck caught fire while parked. He attributed the accident to improper packaging of the chemicals by the responsible organization.
“We suspect that the chemicals were improperly packaged, which caused contamination leading to the explosion,” he explained.
“The truck was carrying highly toxic and flammable chemicals, including potassium permanganate, acetic acid, calcium hypochlorite, glycerine, sulfuric acid, and sodium chloride.”
This incident raises concerns about the safety of transporting hazardous chemicals through populated areas.
Was the truck suitable for transporting such dangerous cargo? Was the packaging safe?
The accident posed a significant threat to countless lives, as the truck traveled through routes which pass by to the City Business District.
The incident highlights the need for regulatory authorities to ensure that hazardous materials are transported safely and in accordance with established protocols.
Zim GBC News©2024