Blue Waters Hotel burning

Home » Durban’s Iconic Blue Waters Hotel on Fire – Photos

Durban’s Iconic Blue Waters Hotel on Fire – Photos

Durban’s legendary landmark hotel, the Blue Waters, caught fire this morning in KwaZulu-Natal, with smoke billowing from the building. According to reports the incident caused disruption in the North Beach area of the coastal city. SAfm News said that police attending a conference at the hotel were able to help evacuate the 200 guests and 120 staff […]

By SAPeople
11-05-16 15:32
in Eish!
Blue Waters Hotel burning

Durban’s legendary landmark hotel, the Blue Waters, caught fire this morning in KwaZulu-Natal, with smoke billowing from the building.

According to reports the incident caused disruption in the North Beach area of the coastal city.

SAfm News said that police attending a conference at the hotel were able to help evacuate the 200 guests and 120 staff members when the fire broke out. The fire was said to be small, although there was a lot of smoke.

No serious injuries were reported, although two people have apparently been hospitalised for smoke inhalation and three were treated by medics at the scene. The daughter of Inkatha leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Princess Phumzile Buthelezi, was allegedly one of those treated.

A spokesperson for Marshall’s Security said electrical transformers had caught alight in the sub-station under the Blue Waters Hotel. Justin Bateman from Durban Fire Department explained that a preliminary investigation showed vapour had accumulated after oil split onto cooling fans.

Reports this afternoon say the damage to the hotel is estimated to be at least R1.5-million.

Several witnesses tweeted that they heard either a “loud bang” or a “small explosion”. The explosion in the substation occurred before 7am this morning, while most guests were sleeping.

The hotel is currently using a generator and electricity is expected to be restored by tomorrow. The hotel will be closed for the next day or two.

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