Durban, South Africa – An incident involving a visible flare-up occurred at the intersection of Dorothy Nyembe and Anton Lembede streets in the Durban Central Business District on the evening of December 6, 2025, at approximately 8:48 PM. Videos of the event quickly spread across social media platforms, showing a sudden burst of flames and sparks emerging from the ground, which led to initial reports describing it as a gas explosion.
The eThekwini Municipality responded promptly to address the circulating footage and clarify the nature of the event. According to official statements, the flare-up was not related to any gas leak or explosion. Instead, it resulted from electrical cable arcing, a process where electricity jumps between damaged conductors in underground cables. This arcing produced the visible spark and flame observed in the videos. The municipality emphasized that the damage to the cables was minor and not indicative of broader issues with ageing infrastructure.
No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. There were also no fatalities, and the event did not cause any disruptions to the local electricity supply. The flare-up was contained swiftly, preventing any escalation or further damage to surrounding areas.
The municipality’s Energy Management team was dispatched immediately to the site upon receiving reports of the occurrence. They assessed the situation and implemented measures to secure the area. Ongoing repairs and additional evaluations are being conducted to ensure the stability and safety of the electrical network in the vicinity.
In their communications, eThekwini officials urged residents and the public to refrain from sharing unverified information that could lead to unnecessary public concern. They advised relying solely on official channels for accurate updates regarding such incidents. The quick response by emergency personnel highlighted the municipality’s preparedness for handling electrical faults in the urban environment.
This event underscores the importance of underground infrastructure maintenance in densely populated city centers. The intersection, a busy part of the Durban CBD, sees significant foot and vehicle traffic, but the timing of the incident in the evening hours likely contributed to the absence of casualties.
Authorities have confirmed that the situation is fully under control, with no ongoing risks to the public.
