2017 Year in Review: The day Durban's sky turned black

A fire had started at a warehouse in South Coast Road in Rossburgh, south of the city and a thick black plume of smoke quickly engulfed the whole city.

Listen to our initial report on the #DurbanFire after receiving a call from Rescue Care paramedics.

The strong winds on the day made it difficulty for firefighters to control the blaze.

The plume was blown from the warehouse beyond Ballito on the north coast.

The wind direction prevented the fire from spreading southwards towards a nearby petrol station, various factories and depots in the South Durban Basin and residential areas like the Bluff, Wentworth, Clairwood and Montclair, among others.

ALSO READ: Transnet launches own investigation into #DurbanFire

Motorists and pedestrians in the vicinity of M4 Southern Freeway stopped to watch the events unfold. People nearby could not smell the smoke because the wind was blowing it into the sky and northwards so quickly, but the heat from the blaze could be felt some distance from the site.

NOW READ: UPDATE: #DurbanFire out, officials now targeting smouldering rubble

Amazingly, only about four people were hurt in the blaze. Medics said they were treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Community groups from suburbs south of the city complained that there was no official emergency evacuation plan for the area.

Coverage of the #DurbanFire was among the top performing Newswatch stories for 2017. The initial story recorded over 70,000 page views.

For more on the severe #DurbanStorm in October, click here.