Workers injured in Sasol fire

Johannesburg - Three people were hurt in a fire at Sasol's Tankfarm West in Secunda on Wednesday.

Sasol spokesperson Jacqui O'Sullivan said the blaze started around 1.15pm and was put out within minutes.

All three injured were taken to hospital, two in a serious condition.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

O'Sullivan said accidents of this nature were of great concern and a full investigation into the cause of the fire has been initiated.

"Sasol Human Resources are contacting the families of the injured employees. Our colleagues will receive the best medical care possible and their families will also be assisted at this time," she said.

"We are not going to release the names of the injured until the families have been notified and agreed to it."

O'Sullivan said the extent of their injuries were not immediately clear.

"They are being treated at the moment. I have no idea how serious their injuries are."

The fire was isolated and put out within minutes, she said.

Wednesday's fire was the second fire that broke out at a Sasol plant this year.

In January, a worker was slightly injured and the Germiston refinery was shut down when a tanker caught fire.

In 2004, 10 people were killed in an explosion at Sasol's polimer plant in Secunda in 2004.

An instrument technician, Fanie van Wyk, later pleaded guilty 10 counts of culpable homicide as he admitted to negligence that resulted in the accident.

He was sentenced to a year in prison or a fine of R50 000.

Solidarity spokesperson Dirk Hermann expressed shock at the latest fire.

"Sasol's safety record has improved drastically lately, so this is a big disappointment," he said.

"There will be an investigation into the cause of the fire, and we will be involved in that."

O'Sullivan said the names of the injured workers would only released after their next-of-kin had been notified and gave permission to identify them.

- Sapa