M1 highway reopened as Joburg EMS aim to extinguish underground fire by midnight

JOHANNESBURG - The M1 highway has been re-opened following a massive fire on Wednesday.

Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) estimate that they will fully extinguish the underground fire on the highway by midnight.

Traffic flow was disrupted, leading to the route closure while parts of the inner city have been without power since the blaze started in the early hours of the morning. 

Firefighters have been battling the fire believed to have been started by vandals. 

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An excavator has now been brought on-site to dig holes and access the underground tunnels. 

Joburg EMS is pleased with the progress that's been made in attempting to extinguish the underground fire.

It says it will use sand and water to ensure that it is fully extinguished.

"Right now we are just making sure that we are extinguishing the hospital. As you can see there is no smoke anymore as compared to the morning. When we came the smoke was huge," said Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulauzi.

Meanwhile, Braamfontein, Newtown and Parktown are expected to not have electricity indefinitely.