A raging fire began suddenly at the KWV Bottling Plant in the Southern Paarl area on Tuesday morning and is being contained by Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire Services Department.
A statement released by the Drakenstein Municipality states that only two KWV employees and one Drakenstein Municipality firefighter have sustained minor smoke inhalation injuries.
The fire reportedly broke out at the KWV production facility between the hours of 06.30am and 7am.
“No one was seriously injured and all staff are being accounted for,” the Drakenstenin Municipality reports.
The fire is currently contained and being attended by the 48 firefighters from the Municipality’s Fire Services Department and 14 fire service vehicles from the Cape Winelands District Municipality and Stellenbosch Municipality.
The blaze spread throughout the building consisting of three adjacent stores.
Thankfully, tanks storing a total of 90 000 litres of brandy were successfully saved from the inferno.
“Mainly machinery, office equipment and bottles on pallets were damaged in the fire,” the Drakenstenin Municipality says in its statement.
Mopping-up operations are currently underway and Drakenstein’s Fire Services Department remains at the scene.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated by the South African Police Service.”
Just moments ago, a fire broke out in Paarl’s famous @KWVEmporium (bottling plant). Local Fire Dept. is trying to contain the inferno. Cause of fire still unknown. pic.twitter.com/3lGVXsUAJC
— WineLand Magazine (@WineLandSA) November 20, 2018
Large fire reported at KWV in Paarl #KWV #Fire pic.twitter.com/c9v0EYsvHK
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) November 20, 2018
Devastating wine warehouse fires in South Africa continue. This time at the KWV in Paarl. People will start inventing conspiracy theories. I truly hope that three big wine fires in a matter of weeks is a mere coincidence. pic.twitter.com/zHYaM3mG39
— Farmer Mike™ (@mikeratcliffe) November 20, 2018
Picture: Twitter