This is a practice test designed to simulate the conditions of an actual exam, allowing students to assess their knowledge and identify areas for improvement. It helps in familiarizing them with the exam format and time management.

CASE STUDY – SOUTH AFRICA CHEMICAL FACTORY FIRE

TEXT 1 - South Africa chemical factory explosions injure 13, two critically injured

The incident happened at a factory belonging to Zeta Laboratories in New Germany, outside of Pinetown in Durban and occurred just days after another explosion in the city at an oil refinery operated by Engen. Zeta Laboratories was engulfed in flames as highly flammable substances combined with heavy winds made it difficult for firefighters to battle the blaze.

Metro police spokesperson Parboo Sewpersad confirmed that a chemical factory was on fire, that all rescue units had been dispatched to the scene and the vicinity had been closed to the public. He said, "Just after 11am we received multiple calls about an explosion at a chemical factory in the Pinetown area. Multiple services were dispatched and were met with a nasty fire on arrival." He confirmed that at least two explosions occurred within the vicinity.

Immediate measures were taken by the police and rescue teams to close off the roads that led to the explosion site. The entire road was closed off to the public and traffic was redirected. 

Firefighters tackled the blaze for several hours before it was extinguished. A lack of fire hydrants in the area had made it difficult for firefighters to tackle the flames until fire trucks arrived at the scene. Paramedics attended the scene at around 11:00 local time and all 13 injured people were taken to local hospitals.

Local officials said that they believe the fire started in the processing area of the factory and quickly spread to 20 gas cylinders which caused an explosion. Several chemicals were stored on site, including 10 tonnes of sanitizers, acetone, hydrogen peroxide, caustic soda, and petroleum jelly tanks which all helped the fire to spread and caused further explosions.

According to news website Independent Online (IOL), the factory manager said that several of the injured workers had suffered third-degree burns. Zeta Laboratories manager Nikesh Singh told TimesLIVE about 115 employees were on site when the fire started. He added that an investigation into the incident has been opened and that the company is still evaluating the total cost of the fire and explosions. The exact cause of the fire was not determined. 

Source: Chester, O. (2020, December 9). Thirteen injured and two critical in latest Durban Factory fire.  News365.co.za. https://news365.co.za/durban-factory-fire/ 

TEXT 2 – 13 injured, 2 critical in latest Durban factory fire

Durban - A team of firefighters battled for hours to extinguish the blaze that gutted a chemical factory following a massive explosion that left 13 people seriously injured in New Germany, outside Pinetown.

Over 100 workers had to be evacuated from the burning factory as the fire was spreading rapidly throughout the building. Paramedics responded to the fire at 11am after receiving reports about several explosions.

Paramedic Gareth Jamieson said that on arrival, they found the factory, Zeta Laboratory, engulfed in flames. “Thirteen people were injured and were taken to hospitals for further care. Six of those were treated with moderate injuries while two were treated with life-threatening injuries,” he said. Jamieson added the other five people suffered from smoke inhalation.

Four vehicles that were parked next to the premises, an Audi A1, a bakkie, forklift and a horse and trailer truck, also caught fire and burnt to the ground. A truck and a forklift were both packed inside the factory’s premises, while the other two were packed in front of the building.

According to Govender, the first team to arrive at the scene tried to extinguish the fire, but the absence of hydrants around the area made things extremely difficult. He said after the arrival of a number of their trucks, the situation improved, and they used foam and water to control the fire.

“We believed and we were also informed that the fire started in the processing area and spread quickly through propane gases 9kg cylinders. We have no idea of how and what triggered the fire. There were 20 cylinders of propane gas stacked in a line and they all exploded after they caught fire,” he said. The flammable liquid substances stored unsafely made it difficult to extinguish the fire. The weather was not good and the wind was strong which caused the fire to spread quickly. Not having water around the factory also made it difficult because the firefighters had to do a foam line using water to control the fire. 

An eyewitness, who was at the service station opposite the factory, said they heard big explosions, and when they looked outside, everyone was running away. He said people were screaming and vehicles driving away at high speed from the area as flames and metal objects were flying out of the factory. Some of the metal objects landed on the roof of nearby garages.

Factory manager Nikesh Singh said the injured workers were in hospital after experiencing third-degree burns. He said they were yet to investigate the cause of the fire and evaluate the total costs lost. “There was a big loss in our raw material which all got burnt, resulting in huge loses to the company. My vehicle also got burnt, which was an Audi A1. The damage is too much, but we will evaluate everything during the week,” said Singh. 

Source: Nxumalo, S. (2024, April 26). 13 injured, 2 critical in latest Durban Factory fire. Independent Online. https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/13-injured-2-critical-in-latest-durban-factory-fire-bbb6587d-75ae-4b9b-8b48-981ef6e108fa 

GLOSSARY

1. Erupted – blow up, break out, flare up

This is a practice test designed to simulate the conditions of an actual exam, allowing students to assess their knowledge and identify areas for improvement. It helps in familiarizing them with the exam format and time management.

CASE STUDY – SOUTH AFRICA CHEMICAL FACTORY FIRE

TEXT 1 - South Africa chemical factory explosions injure 13, two critically injured

The incident happened at a factory belonging to Zeta Laboratories in New Germany, outside of Pinetown in Durban and occurred just days after another explosion in the city at an oil refinery operated by Engen. Zeta Laboratories was engulfed in flames as highly flammable substances combined with heavy winds made it difficult for firefighters to battle the blaze.

Metro police spokesperson Parboo Sewpersad confirmed that a chemical factory was on fire, that all rescue units had been dispatched to the scene and the vicinity had been closed to the public. He said, "Just after 11am we received multiple calls about an explosion at a chemical factory in the Pinetown area. Multiple services were dispatched and were met with a nasty fire on arrival." He confirmed that at least two explosions occurred within the vicinity.

Immediate measures were taken by the police and rescue teams to close off the roads that led to the explosion site. The entire road was closed off to the public and traffic was redirected. 

Firefighters tackled the blaze for several hours before it was extinguished. A lack of fire hydrants in the area had made it difficult for firefighters to tackle the flames until fire trucks arrived at the scene. Paramedics attended the scene at around 11:00 local time and all 13 injured people were taken to local hospitals.

Local officials said that they believe the fire started in the processing area of the factory and quickly spread to 20 gas cylinders which caused an explosion. Several chemicals were stored on site, including 10 tonnes of sanitizers, acetone, hydrogen peroxide, caustic soda, and petroleum jelly tanks which all helped the fire to spread and caused further explosions.

According to news website Independent Online (IOL), the factory manager said that several of the injured workers had suffered third-degree burns. Zeta Laboratories manager Nikesh Singh told TimesLIVE about 115 employees were on site when the fire started. He added that an investigation into the incident has been opened and that the company is still evaluating the total cost of the fire and explosions. The exact cause of the fire was not determined. 

Source: Chester, O. (2020, December 9). Thirteen injured and two critical in latest Durban Factory fire.  News365.co.za. https://news365.co.za/durban-factory-fire/ 

TEXT 2 – 13 injured, 2 critical in latest Durban factory fire

Durban - A team of firefighters battled for hours to extinguish the blaze that gutted a chemical factory following a massive explosion that left 13 people seriously injured in New Germany, outside Pinetown.

Over 100 workers had to be evacuated from the burning factory as the fire was spreading rapidly throughout the building. Paramedics responded to the fire at 11am after receiving reports about several explosions.

Paramedic Gareth Jamieson said that on arrival, they found the factory, Zeta Laboratory, engulfed in flames. “Thirteen people were injured and were taken to hospitals for further care. Six of those were treated with moderate injuries while two were treated with life-threatening injuries,” he said. Jamieson added the other five people suffered from smoke inhalation.

Four vehicles that were parked next to the premises, an Audi A1, a bakkie, forklift and a horse and trailer truck, also caught fire and burnt to the ground. A truck and a forklift were both packed inside the factory’s premises, while the other two were packed in front of the building.

According to Govender, the first team to arrive at the scene tried to extinguish the fire, but the absence of hydrants around the area made things extremely difficult. He said after the arrival of a number of their trucks, the situation improved, and they used foam and water to control the fire.

“We believed and we were also informed that the fire started in the processing area and spread quickly through propane gases 9kg cylinders. We have no idea of how and what triggered the fire. There were 20 cylinders of propane gas stacked in a line and they all exploded after they caught fire,” he said. The flammable liquid substances stored unsafely made it difficult to extinguish the fire. The weather was not good and the wind was strong which caused the fire to spread quickly. Not having water around the factory also made it difficult because the firefighters had to do a foam line using water to control the fire. 

An eyewitness, who was at the service station opposite the factory, said they heard big explosions, and when they looked outside, everyone was running away. He said people were screaming and vehicles driving away at high speed from the area as flames and metal objects were flying out of the factory. Some of the metal objects landed on the roof of nearby garages.

Factory manager Nikesh Singh said the injured workers were in hospital after experiencing third-degree burns. He said they were yet to investigate the cause of the fire and evaluate the total costs lost. “There was a big loss in our raw material which all got burnt, resulting in huge loses to the company. My vehicle also got burnt, which was an Audi A1. The damage is too much, but we will evaluate everything during the week,” said Singh. 

Source: Nxumalo, S. (2024, April 26). 13 injured, 2 critical in latest Durban Factory fire. Independent Online. https://www.iol.co.za/mercury/news/13-injured-2-critical-in-latest-durban-factory-fire-bbb6587d-75ae-4b9b-8b48-981ef6e108fa 

GLOSSARY

1. Erupted – blow up, break out, flare up