WATCH | Explosion rocks Cape Town refinery, structure damaged

Binary_Bark

Binary_Bark

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Sirens wailed after a massive explosion at the Astron Energy refinery in Cape Town, shortly after 04:00 on Thursday.


Damage could be seen on one of the units closest to the Plattekloof side of the sprawling Milnerton plant, north of the city centre. The unit was partially collapsed and mangled.

"Astron Energy South Africa can confirm that an incident occurred at its Milnerton refinery at approximately 04:00 on 2 July 2020," a company statement read.
Click to expand...

www.news24.com

WATCH | Two killed, 7 injured in Cape Town refinery explosion | News24

A massive explosion has occurred at the Astron Energy refinery in Cape Town. Two people have died and seven have been injured.
www.news24.com www.news24.com
 
At this stage, only God knows ... because the employee who took a smoke break indoors due to not wanting to face the cold temperatures outside has been vape-orised.
 
eg2505 said:
sabotage? or at this stage nobody knows yet?
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It's a furnace or heater so likely just exploded on malfunction or other fault. Most heaters in industry don't comply to sans regulations and can't be brought up to code because they were installed so long ago.
 
Holy moly I live very nearby to this refinery. The shockwave was enough to force open an unlocked door in my house on the side that faces the refinery.

I woke up hearing the door open but not the blast. Went to investigate and found nothing. I was soooooo creeped out and I'm actually relieved that there is something to explain it.

EDIT: not relieved to learn about deaths and injuries, which is very likely people from my neighborhood.
 
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I live nearby and somehow slept through it.
 
I heard from one of the dog walkers while out this morning. Her late husband worked there years ago.

Speculation:
A lot of refineries were shut down for routine maintenance. Startup is the most dangerous time for any plant.

I studied Chemical Engineering many decades ago, and am familiar with operations, but never visited that facility.
 
PICS: Fire contained after explosion rocks Milnerton refinery

Cape Town – A fire has been contained after an explosion at a Milnerton refinery earlier today.


Astron Energy South Africa confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the incident occurred at its Milnerton refinery at approximately 4am.



"Astron Energy immediately activated its emergency response procedures and notified the relevant authorities. The resultant fire has been contained and the plant is now stable.
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www.iol.co.za

PICS: Fire contained after explosion rocks Milnerton refinery

A fire has been contained after an explosion at a Milnerton refinery earlier today.
www.iol.co.za www.iol.co.za
 
CoCT still confirming number of fatalities after Milnerton refinery fire


CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town said an unconfirmed number of people have been killed and others have been injured in a fire at a Milnerton refinery.
The blaze broke out early on Thursday morning at the facility, which is managed by Astron Energy.
It’s since been contained and all work has been suspended.



The City of Cape Town's Richard Bosman said: “There have been some fatalities and there have also been some serious injuries that have been taken to hospital. The latest I’ve got is that there were three deceased persons and the Astron spokesperson will communicate and give an indication at a later stage.”
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ewn.co.za

CoCT still confirming number of fatalities after Milnerton refinery fire

The blaze broke out early on Thursday morning at the facility, which is managed by Astron Energy.
ewn.co.za ewn.co.za
 
A reminder why I don't watch TV much:
At lunchtime eNCA crossed to a live 'interview' many hours after the event, which told me less than the article and photo in the OP...
 
I heard the blast around 4:10am, was making coffee, then bang! Whole building shook and windows rattled. Couldn't see anything, but the refinery air siren started going off.
 
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