Swift Response Contained Pretoria North Factory Blaze

The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department (ESD) confirmed that a tyre factory in Pretoria North caught fire on 16 August 2025.

Firefighters responded within minutes, deploying multiple resources to secure the perimeter and prevent the flames from spreading to nearby properties. Thanks to their rapid and coordinated efforts, the blaze was successfully contained, averting a wider disaster.

Strong Emergency Capacity Deployed

On-site resources included 57 firefighters, seven command staff, five water tankers, two fire engines, one ladder truck, a mobile command unit, a hazardous materials unit, two district commander vehicles, two foam tenders, and two rapid intervention units.
To boost capacity, the Water and Sanitation Department dispatched an additional five water tankers for continuous supply.

Teams worked systematically to isolate the fire, tackling the intense heat and thick smoke typical of tyre-related incidents. Their actions limited damage and safeguarded surrounding communities.

Environmental Oversight

From the early stages of the incident, the City’s Green Scorpions were on-site to monitor environmental impacts. They focused on air quality, smoke dispersion, and potential contamination of soil and water sources. In addition, they collected evidence for compliance reporting and future rehabilitation efforts.

Safety, Coordination, and Regulations

The City emphasized that while large-scale fires often attract offers of assistance, firefighting operations within municipal boundaries must adhere to established regulations and command structures. This ensures accountability, safety of personnel, and protection of the public.

Ongoing Efforts and Community Assurance

Although the fire is contained, crews will remain on-site until it is fully extinguished. The Green Scorpions will continue monitoring environmental conditions during the clean-up phase, ensuring both community and ecological safety.

No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The City commended its emergency personnel for their professionalism and resilience under difficult conditions, reaffirming its commitment to ongoing training, fleet readiness, and intergovernmental collaboration to uphold world-class emergency response standards.

Emergency Reporting

Residents are urged to report fire or rescue incidents immediately by calling 107 (toll-free) or 012 358 6300/6400.
When reporting:

• Remain calm and speak clearly.

• Provide the correct address.

• Give a reliable contact number in case operators need to call back.