Breaking: Alberton residents evacuated as gas pipeline explodes [video]

Residents of Alberton, Johannesburg have been evacuated from their homes after a major gas pipeline caught fire on Tuesday morning. The severity of the blaze is signifcant, and everyone within a 500 metre radius of the incident has been told to leave the area.

Alberton gas pipeline evacuation – latest news and updates:

Disaster management crews are currently attending the scene. The recovery operation is set to be a delicate one, as officials assess the danger posed by the inferno. Both Sasol and Transnet are on site, looking for most “danger-free” way to quell the fire and guarantee safety for thousands of nearby citizens.

Reports surfaced just after 8:00 that a large plume of smoke could be seen coming from Verwoed Park, near the N3 route which connects to Alberton. We understand that traffic is still flowing on the major highway, despite the large-scale incident.

Watch the Alberton gas pipeline explosion here

Alberton gas pipeline : The lines have been shut down. They have reduced the radius to 500m. Disaster Management on scene. Waiting for the volume to reduce. pic.twitter.com/e7aYR0n5fG

— BlueHawkTactical (@Bluehawktactic1) December 31, 2019

Gas pipeline explosion behind Phillip street in Verwoerd Park, Alberton – 31 December 2019 #SouthAfrica #VerwoerdPark #Alberton pic.twitter.com/Sz0ViMuO13

— Povo News (@povonewstv) December 31, 2019

Verwoed Park goes up in smoke

The gas pipeline was shutdown as soon as the incident was logged. It’s believed that there have been no injuries or fatalities to speak of, and the swift response of emergency personnel has limited the damage caused by the suspected explosion.

SASOL Gas Pipeline on fire Verwoed Park Alberton N3 area being evacuated

— Adrian Ranson (@adrianranson) December 31, 2019

This is a developing story, and we’ll have more information on the matter as it comes on Tuesday.

High pressure gas line on fire near Alberton 🔴🔴🔴 UPDATE. It’s a HIGH PRESSURE GAS LINE. EVACUATE AREA IMMEDIATELY. Sasol and Transnet en route pic.twitter.com/9pFUpONVwm

— BlueHawkTactical (@Bluehawktactic1) December 31, 2019