Emergency services had their hands full on Saturday morning when a major factory fire threatened to spread to surrounding properties in the Woodhurst area.

The eThekwini Municipality’s marketing and communications directorate released a statement in which they explained that firefighters were dispatched at approximately 3:58am to a reported fire at 675 Sunset Avenue in Chatsworth.

Upon arrival, firefighters found large informal structures within the factory premises engulfed in flames, with the fire already burning through the roof and spreading across the floor area toward an adjacent warehouse.

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According to the building manager, no persons were on site at the time.

The company manufactures furniture products including chairs and cupboards. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have originated in informal storage structures containing goods and furniture materials.

Faced with rapidly spreading flames and highly flammable stock, firefighters mounted an aggressive attack, deploying five water streams to contain and extinguish the blaze.

Their co-ordinated response successfully brought the fire under control, averting a potentially larger disaster.

Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported. However, the fire caused extensive damage to property and stock, with losses expected to be significant. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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The municipality urges residents, companies, and business owners to ensure fire safety measures are in place at all times to protect lives, property, and businesses.

For emergencies, contact the city’s emergency call centre on 031 361-0000.