---
title: "Chemical Plant Inferno"
description: "CBRNe World provides those tasked with defending against CBRN and IED threats with the essential practical, scientific and political information. Access the current and previous issues of the magazine by registering as a member."
url: "https://cbrneworld.com/threats-news/africa/chemical-plant-inferno"
date: "2026-07-30T21:12:36+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---

#  Chemical Plant Inferno

 Written on 19 February 2026.

Hundreds of workers, including staff from nearby businesses, were forced to evacuate after a large structural fire involving highly volatile and flammable chemicals broke out at the Rolfes Chemical Company in Germiston on February 19th. The blaze triggered multiple heavy explosions, forcing the immediate evacuation of surrounding factories. Manufacturing activities at nearby companies were temporarily suspended as a precaution.

Ekurhuleni Emergency Medical Services spokesperson William Ntladi confirmed that one man sustained second-degree burns to his lower body and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Firefighters faced ongoing challenges as heated metal containers continued to detonate during the blaze. Preliminary investigations suggest that an undisclosed, highly volatile chemical may have ignited after a spark occurred while it was being offloaded from a truck into storage tanks.

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