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By Siboniso Mngadi 
19h ago
Durban – South Durban residents living in the vicinity of the Engen refinery are preparing to file a civil lawsuit against the company following the explosion at the plant on Friday.
For years, they have complained about the health-hazardous smell of gases and fumes that have left many with respiratory illnesses.
But Friday was probably the most traumatic experience for them, as people were able to hear the explosions as far away as Umlazi and Durban North.
Some residents were admitted to the hospital for smoke inhalation, while a nearby apartment block caught fire after the explosion.
Sean Horood, who lived across the street from the refinery entrance, said he wanted Engen to take responsibility for the damage.
He was one of several residents who went to the Austerville Police Station yesterday to file an affidavit in preparation for a civil lawsuit. His affidavits detailed his trauma and damage to his property.
“There have been many fires inside the refinery, but we have never experienced an explosion like this.
I ran to the door and opened it so my dogs could enter. For a moment I wasn’t sure what was going on.
Then I saw dozens of refinery workers running for cover to the nearest park. The truckers who had been waiting outside left their trucks and ran for cover.
It was a traumatic experience for all of us. My house and the border wall have cracks. The board on my roof almost collapsed, ”he said.
Horood said they wanted Engen representatives to assess the damage done to their homes by the blast.
Austerville resident Mellow Jee said the windows of many houses cracked.
“The explosion was severe, a proper inspection of our houses is needed to determine the damage. Our children must be taken to therapy, the noise will remain in their ears for a long time, it was too scary. “
Gavin Smith, a spokesman for Engen Refinery, said there were no injuries and all personnel at the refinery have been accounted for.
Smith would not be drawn to comment on the residents’ damage assessment.
Desmond D’SA, coordinator for the environmental justice organization, South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), said they had experienced more than 20 explosions since the refinery was built 66 years ago.
He had asked for the refinery to be closed citing damage to health and the environment.
Ravi Pillay, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, said the government would monitor the situation, adding that the minister had sent experts to support the investigation team.
“Our main concern is the community. But we have been assured that the situation is now stable. We visited some of the residential units and asked Engen to intervene. “
Sunday grandstand
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