Massive outdoor crate fire swiftly contained; no injuries reported
A towering cloud of black-grey smoke curled above Soweto on Thursday, 26 June 2025, when flames tore through the outdoor crate yard of the SA Breweries depot in Baragwanath. Residents were urged to steer clear as Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) teams battled the inferno, thankfully without any injuries or structural damage to the main facility.
How the fire started
According to EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo, the blaze was sparked when dry grass in an adjacent field ignited and leapt the fence, setting scores of stacked plastic beer crates ablaze. High winds and the highly flammable crates accelerated the flames, producing dramatic plumes visible from kilometres away.
Emergency response and containment
Firefighters from multiple Joburg stations rushed tankers and high-pressure hose reels to the scene. They ring-fenced the fire within the open-air storage zone, shielding brewery buildings, brewing lines and ammonia refrigeration from heat exposure. By mid-afternoon, crews had “successfully contained” the fire and shifted focus to meticulous salvage and damping-down operations to prevent reignition.
Safety advisory for residents
EMS maintained a safety perimeter throughout the operation, warning motorists on Chris Hani Road and pedestrians near the Baragwanath taxi rank to avoid inhaling smoke or obstructing emergency lanes. The public alert remained in force into the evening while residual hotspots were cooled.
Impact on SAB operations
SAB confirmed production lines were unaffected; however, thousands of returnable crates were destroyed, and logistics schedules may be briefly disrupted while replacements are sourced. Insurance assessors and SAB’s risk-management team were on-site within hours to tally losses and review fire-break protocols around the depot’s perimeter. (Company comment requested at the time of writing; this article will be updated once received.)
Investigation underway
Joburg EMS and City of Johannesburg fire investigators will collaborate with SAPS forensic services to determine the precise ignition point and whether negligence played a role. Preliminary indications still point to the grass blaze as the origin, but CCTV footage and witness statements are being scrutinised.
Recent fire incidents highlight vigilance
Thursday’s scare comes barely two months after 11 classrooms were gutted at Riverlea High School, also in western Johannesburg, prompting renewed scrutiny of fire-prevention measures in Gauteng’s dry winter season.
What’s next
- Cleanup: Crate fragments and melted plastic will be removed once inspectors declare the yard safe.
- Operations review: SAB is expected to reassess vegetation management and sprinkler coverage in outdoor storage areas.
- Community update: EMS will issue a follow-up statement detailing final damage estimates and any road closures.
Residents can monitor official channels—@CityofJoburgEMS and @SABreweries on X—for real-time advisories.
Also read: Gauteng Health Urges Vigilance After Twin Baby Abductions Rock Public Clinics
