Dramatic Explosions As Fireworks Container Erupts in Flames in Verulam CBD

• Emergency services rushed to the Verulam CBD after a shipping container filled with fireworks caught fire, sending thick smoke into the air and triggering repeated explosions
• Firefighters battled the blaze while Metro Police closed off nearby roads due to the container’s proximity to businesses
• An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire; no injuries were reported

Chaos erupted in Verulam CBD on Tuesday afternoon, 30 December 2025, as a shipping container packed with fireworks ignited, sending towering plume. . s of smoke into the sky and setting off a series of dramatic explosions.

Footage shared by Yusuf Abramjee on his X account showed thick smoke billowing from the container, which was located close to a business complex. Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) responded after receiving reports of a potential hazard in the area.

Shortly after responders arrived, fireworks stored inside the container began detonating, dramatically escalating the situation.

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Emergency services responded

Firefighters were dispatched and worked under challenging conditions as the intermittent explosions complicated efforts to extinguish the blaze.

Due to the container’s proximity to nearby businesses, authorities established a safety perimeter. Metro Police implemented temporary road closures to protect motorists and pedestrians, urging the public to avoid the area until it was declared safe.

The fire was eventually brought under control. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. An investigation is expected to follow.

Firefighters battle blaze in Muizenberg.

In a separate incident, a fire destroyed 38 informal structures in Vrygrond, Muizenberg, on Monday, 29 December 2025, leaving dozens of residents displaced. Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Charlotte Powell said humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers provided immediate assistance to around 60 affected people.

Powell added that the City’s Informal Settlements Management branch, the Department of Human Settlements, and Sassa had been notified, while the Solid Waste Department was activated to clear debris. Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed the blaze was extinguished at approximately 1 pm. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Verulam-related Briefly News articles

Verulam has experienced a series of violent incidents in recent months, raising concerns about safety in the area.

Earlier this year Breifly News reported that a notorious gang leader believed to be responsible for a spate of violent crimes across KwaZulu-Natal was killed during a police operation in the Cottonlands area. The 22-year-old, identified by police as the leader of the Inanda West Gang, died alongside an alleged accomplice during a shootout with law enforcement. Police said the suspect was wanted on a murder charge and was linked to more than 20 serious criminal cases, including attempted murder, armed robbery, intimidation and arson. A firearm was recovered at the scene, and investigations into the broader gang network are ongoing.

In another deadly incident, one man was shot and killed while another was seriously injured during a shooting in Verulam on 11 April 2025. According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the two men were having their vehicle washed when unidentified gunmen opened fire. One victim sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and was declared dead at the scene, while the second suffered injuries to his chest and hand and was rushed for medical treatment. The motive for the attack remains unknown.

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Meanwhile, RUSA officers were also involved in a tense late-night operation in February after receiving reports of a suspected abandoned infant near the Verulam Bus Rank on Ireland Street. A member of the public alerted authorities after hearing what sounded like a baby crying from dense bushes near the station. Officers arrived at around 11 pm and conducted a careful search of the area. Further details surrounding the outcome of the search were expected to emerge as investigations continued.

Source: Briefly News