South African Plastics Plant Fire Raises Environmental Concerns

A plastics plant fire Sunday in eastern South Africa has officials concerned about the environmental impact on adjacent municipal land, local media report.

Flames destroyed QPET plant in Pietermaritzburg, specializing in polyester bottles and jars. Although photographs of the fire are posted on Facebook and other social media few specific details about the fire have been released.

The KJwaZulu-Natal Private Ambulance Service reported via Facebook that it had transported three people to the hospital for severe smoke inhalation, one of them being a security guard.

A team of experts has been assigned to investigate the effect pollutants generated may have on lung function in nearby residents, a spokesperson for the provincial Department of Economic Development said.