Early this morning, a potentially catastrophic multi-vehicle pileup was averted on the N3 freeway due to the rapid intervention of the KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service’s Scene Safety and Support unit.
At approximately 08:30, emergency dispatchers received reports of a thick, smoke across both carriage-ways between the New England Road and Market Road off-ramps. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a vagrant had systematically collected discarded paper and heavy rubber tyres from nearby roadwork construction sites, piling them in the center median before setting them alight.
The resulting fire produced dense, acrid smoke, reducing visibility for commuters traveling at high speeds. The positioning of the fire between the Northbound and Southbound lanes created a significant hazard, as motorists were forced to navigate through a "smoke screen" with no immediate warning.
Leveraging the specialized capabilities of the Scene Safety and Support unit, which is equipped with an onboard fire suppression system, crews immediately initiated fire-fighting operations. While the municipal fire department was dispatched, our team successfully suppressed the flames and extinguished the seat of the fire within minutes.
The swift action allowed the toxic smoke to dissipate quickly, restoring safe driving conditions and preventing secondary collisions. Authorities are currently monitoring the area to ensure the debris is cleared and to prevent further interference with the ongoing roadworks. No injuries were reported, and all lanes remained open following the brief intervention.
