Fireworks blow Jhb man apart

2009-09-24 22:52

Johannesburg - A man was blown into pieces by prohibited fireworks that went off at the Crown Mine factories, south of Johannesburg, on Thursday, emergency services said.

The man's torso was found 70 metres from the scene while one of his legs was found on top of a 30 metre high factory, said spokesperson Percy Morokane.

"It is a very messy situation. His body was blown apart ... body parts are strewn all over. It is going to be very difficult to identify him... his face was blown apart," said Morokane.

Two men who were with the man who was killed allegedly fled the scene following the explosion at around 12:30.

The fireworks believed to have caused the explosion are called 14 inch cake shells and they are prohibited in the country, said Morokane.

It was not yet known how the man acquired the fireworks nor what he was doing at the industrial area as the factories were closed for business.

But eyewitnesses, including a manager of one of the factories told emergency services workers that they saw the man, along with two others walking between the factories shortly before the explosion.

'Massive explosion'

"It was massive. It was heard about 8km away from the scene and even people in Riverlea - 5km from the scene - said they heard the massive explosion, followed by two minor ones," said Morokane.

Two factories caught fire following the explosion and three trucks were damaged in the fire but fire fighters managed to put out the blaze.

"Both factories have minor fire damage," he said.

Johannesburg police could not immediately confirm the incident.

"I'm still trying to figure out what happened... please call me later," said Inspector Lunga Mahonga.

- SAPA