The plumes of smoke, visible from miles away, were caused by an electrical fault with a transformer at the Blue Waters Hotel on Durban’s beachfront.
eThekwini Metro Fire municipal acting divisional commander Justin Bateman said that it appeared that a pipe with cooling oil from a transformer had burst and dropped onto hot elements, but when the emergency power activated, it caused the vapour from the oil to explode, causing the fire.
Regan Stander from National Emergency Assist Services said that two people were treated for smoke inhalation and one person for shock.
Bateman said that police officers attending a conference at the hotel helped to evaluate the 209 guests as well as staff.
