He addressed journalists on Thursday evening (July 20, 2023) at Mary Fitzgerald Square where the city has set up the command unit after the July 19 blast that left almost 50 people injured and one person dead.
Brink said the second possibility was the ignition of natural gas, mixed with oxygen in underground storm water drainage systems or service ducts and the ignition of gas from a gas pipe burst could have led to an explosion. "The third and last possibility is the ignition of gas from a gas pipe burst," Brink added.
"At this stage only one of the above potential causes appears to be warranted, accidental leakage of natural gas into the service duct reaching explosion concentration levels of up to 15% and was ignited by a source unknown at this stage," he said.
TimesLive reported earlier that the explosion caused panic, splitting a busy street open and leaving many vehicles damaged, with some blown off the road by the force of the blast. Reporters on the scene described the intense smell of gas lingering in the air.
According to SANews.gov, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that although there was a suspicion that the explosion was caused by gas, all relevant stakeholders who provide services in the area had been brought in to determine the cause.
"We have now formally brought all institutions that deal with gas. We now have eGoli Gas; we have brought Sasol and we are bringing anyone that has either underground pipes or cabling. Telkom, water and any institution that will assist us just to determine the cause of the impact and also give us the necessary advice. City Power...have since taken a decision to switch off the Bree Street substation so that the team can go in there and identify the cause and also assist us to identify areas that need our immediate intervention," he said in a briefing on Thursday morning. (All Africa)
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