The Citizen reports that the town of Worcester was rocked by a gas tanker explosion early on Wednesday morning, with residents having reported feeling it kilometres away from the industrial area in which it took place.  

Reports of it being a petrol tanker were inaccurate, according to the fire department.  Reportedly, the blast could have been caused after the truck collided with a motor vehicle.  ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after 6am, and he confirmed that two people had been injured and taken to hospital for further treatment.  Road closures affected the N1 Meirings Park entrance as well other streets.  After the explosion, the fire spread to nearby buildings, notably factories.  Chief fire officer at the Breede River municipality Theo Botha reported that 12 to 15 fire engines had been used to put out the blaze, with about 40 firefighters on the scene.

• Read the full report on the above story and view a video clip at The Citizen
• See too, Gas tanker explosion rattles Worcester, at EWN

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