Hazmat alert declared after fire in Montague Gardens leads to road closures
Hazardous materials alert declared after a fire in Montague Gardens, with emergency crews on scene and key roads closed as investigations continue.
Image: Supplied
Emergency crews rushed to Montague Gardens after a fire triggered a hazardous materials alert, with reports indicating the incident may involve a possible nitric acid spill.
Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said the City’s emergency services are on scene and that the situation is still developing.
“The City’s emergency services are attending to a fire in the Montague Gardens area. A hazardous materials incident has been declared – currently we are awaiting more information from the Fire and Rescue Service,” Powell said.
She confirmed that road closures are in place in the immediate vicinity and that the Disaster Risk Management Centre is on standby.
“As a precautionary measure, we ask that members of the public steer clear of the area where possible,” Powell said.
Nitric acid is a highly corrosive industrial chemical commonly used in fertiliser production, metal processing and laboratory applications. It is typically a clear to yellowish liquid with a sharp, pungent odour and is classified as a hazardous substance because of its strong oxidising properties and ability to cause severe chemical burns.
Exposure to nitric acid, particularly through inhalation of fumes, can irritate or damage the respiratory system, while spills may react with metals and other materials, releasing toxic nitrogen oxide gases. For this reason, incidents involving suspected nitric acid releases are treated as high-risk hazmat events, requiring controlled access and specialised safety protocols.
Cape Town Traffic spokesperson Kevin Jacobs said Traffic Services have closed several roads around Montague Drive, including intersections with Link Road, Railway Road, First Street, Fifth Street and Marconi Road, and motorists are being advised to seek alternative routes.
Authorities stressed that the nature of the hazardous material involved has not yet been officially confirmed, and further updates will be provided once Fire and Rescue Services complete their assessment.
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