Police say investigation into Tshwane gas pipeline explosion underway

JOHANNESBURG - Police and Tshwane emergency services are investigating the cause of Wednesday’s Sasol gas pipeline explosion.

The pipeline, which runs through a business site adjacent to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tshwane Training Academy caught alight on Wednesday afternoon, prompting the mass evacuation of 2,500 police trainees at the academy.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident occurred as a result of a leak along the pipeline, which could not be immediately extinguished due to safety concerns.

During Wednesday’s evacuation, soon-to-be police officers trailed behind by a throng of emergency service personnel who quickly contained the fire, subsequently extinguishing the blaze in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

No injuries or fatalities have been reported, with a structural damage assessment of the business site yet to be conducted. 

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual for the SAPS training academy, a high school and panel-beating business in the vicinity. 

On Thursday, both police and emergency service officials are set to provide an update on the incident.