JOHANNESBURG – A fire in Boksburg’s Jet Park industrial area has gutted three long-distance buses and a trailer, leaving behind charred shells and raising questions about safety at vehicle depots.
The blaze broke out on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift response from the City of Ekurhuleni’s disaster and emergency management services (DEMS). Emergency teams rushed to the scene after receiving reports that several parked coaches were engulfed in flames.
According to officials, firefighters managed to contain the fire before it could spread to nearby properties, preventing what could have been an even more devastating incident in the busy industrial hub.
Metro spokesperson Eric Maloka confirmed that no injuries or fatalities occurred. “Our teams responded immediately to the call in Jet Park. Three buses and one trailer were gutted, but fortunately, there were no passengers or staff inside the vehicles at the time of the fire. The flames were brought under control, and the scene was declared safe after our crews completed their operations,” he said.
The sight of towering flames and thick plumes of smoke alarmed nearby workers and motorists. Several videos captured by onlookers circulated on social media, showing firefighters battling the inferno as sirens wailed in the background.
Three Long-Distance Buses and Trailer Destroyed in Boksburg Fire
At this stage, the cause of blaze remains undetermined. Maloka noted that a formal investigation has been launched to establish what triggered the blaze. “We cannot speculate at this time. Our fire safety and forensic teams will be conducting a thorough probe into the circumstances that led to this incident,” he said.
Possible causes under consideration include an electrical fault, human negligence, or arson, though authorities cautioned that no conclusions should be drawn until the investigation is complete.
The destruction of the buses represents a significant financial loss for the affected transport operators. Long-distance coaches are a vital component of South Africa’s public transport network, linking Johannesburg and other urban centres with rural towns, neighbouring provinces, and cross-border destinations.
Operators already face steep challenges, including rising fuel costs, increased competition, and post-pandemic recovery pressures. The loss of multiple vehicles could disrupt schedules and strain services for passengers who rely on affordable coach travel.
An official from a local bus association, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the incident as “a massive blow.” He said, “Replacing three coaches is not a small task. We are talking about millions of rand in damages. Beyond the financial costs, this affects jobs, commuters, and the broader network.”
The Boksburg community expressed relief that no lives were lost but also called for greater vigilance around vehicle depots in industrial zones. Some residents suggested that better security and fire prevention measures should be enforced, given the frequency of fires in the area.
“Jet Park has seen a few fires in recent years, from warehouses to trucks. It’s good that nobody was hurt this time, but authorities must be proactive to ensure these things don’t keep happening,” said a business owner nearby.
The incident comes amid broader concerns about fire safety in Gauteng’s urban and industrial spaces. Earlier this year, a warehouse in the same municipality was destroyed in a blaze that took several hours to extinguish. Emergency experts have warned that aging infrastructure, inadequate fire-prevention systems, and negligence in storing flammable materials often contribute to such disasters.
In response, the City of Ekurhuleni has promised to strengthen inspection protocols. Officials have urged businesses and fleet operators to comply with safety regulations, including installing fire extinguishers, conducting regular inspections, and training staff in fire response.
While the investigation into the Jet Park blaze continues, transport operators and commuters are left grappling with the immediate consequences. Operators will need to rearrange routes and schedules to compensate for the lost fleet, while passengers may experience delays or reduced availability of services in the short term.
Fire experts, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of learning from such incidents. “Every fire offers lessons,” said one independent safety consultant. “The priority is not only to find out what caused this blaze but also to ensure that fleet operators across the province adopt stricter fire-prevention practices.”
For now, the charred shells of the three buses stand as a stark reminder of the incident. Authorities are expected to release further details once the investigation concludes.
Source- EWN
