Photographer Jackie Clausen was on the scene of a massive fire that tore through a factory on South Coast Road, Durban south, on Friday morning.
The building, which belongs to Transnet, was used to manufacture wax panels and also contained plastics. This sent a wave-like thick black plume of smoke over the city, pushed north by strong winds.
The eThekwini municipality said that the fire was under control by Friday afternoon and had not spread to any adjacent buildings.
One fireman was injured, as the searing heat resulted in his suffering burns on his hands despite wearing protective gear. Another man, a 35-year-old who worked in the factory, suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital.
Roads around the building, including two major freeways, were closed on Friday afternoon due to “poor visibility” caused by the smoke.