Fire at Umhlanga shopping mall ignites emergency response

On a seemingly ordinary Sunday evening, chaos erupted in the Umhlanga business district as fire broke out at the area’s well-known Gateway Shopping Mall.  

The incident which unfolded on Sunday, prompted a prompt response from the KZNVIP's emergency response teams, which drew immediate attention from local firefighters and medics.

Upon arrival at the scene, responders encountered heavy smoke billowing from the mall. By then,  the mall's own security personnel executed an evacuation of both shoppers and staff, damage done was minimised and lives were spared as a response.

The area surrounding the shopping centre was promptly secured to ensure public safety, while fire and emergency teams were persistent with their efforts to contain and extinguish the flames.

“The quick actions of the evacuation team made a significant difference,” said a spokesperson from KZNVIP.

“Our teams were able to act swiftly, preventing the fire from spreading further within the mall,” said the spokesperson.

Although the blaze was successfully contained, four individuals were assessed by KZNVIP medics for smoke inhalation, which highlighted the potential dangers that lingered in the air.

Of those treated, two patients required additional medical attention. They were stabilised on site before being transported to a nearby medical facility for further care.

The origin and cause of the fire remain unspecified, and it was expected that authorities would launch an investigation into the origins of the incident.

The incident left the local community anxious as they await news about the cause of the fire and the extent of damages. In the aftermath, officials urged shoppers and staff to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around commercial establishments.

DAILY NEWS