Explosion and Fire at Rheinmetall Denel Potchefstroom Plant Contained, No Injuries Reported
- Karen Scheepers
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
A sudden explosion shook the Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) plant near Boskop, Potchefstroom, on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. The blast occurred just before 14:00 in a chemical storage unit on the site and triggered a fire that spread quickly through nearby veld. Thick smoke was visible from several parts of Potchefstroom, raising alarm among residents.
Emergency Response in Potchefstroom
Local and regional emergency services responded immediately. Firefighters from the municipality, the Potchefstroom Fire Protection Association, the SANDF base fire unit, and Working on Fire crews were all deployed. Together, they managed to contain both the facility fire and the veld fire before it could spread further.
Authorities confirmed that no employees or residents were injured, and no evacuation of nearby communities was required. However, roads leading to the facility, including sections of the R501, were temporarily closed to give emergency teams access.
Cause Under Investigation
The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown. Specialists from the South African Police Service explosives unit, together with RDM’s own safety investigators, are assessing the site to determine what triggered the blast. The company has stated it is cooperating fully with the investigation and that no hazardous materials escaped beyond the facility’s boundaries.
Community Impact
While no injuries were reported, the incident left many Potchefstroom residents unsettled. Several people living near the industrial area reported hearing the blast and seeing smoke from the plant.
Officials have reassured the community that the situation is now stable and that monitoring will continue until the site is declared completely safe. Farmers and homeowners in the Boskop area expressed relief that the veld fire was brought under control so quickly.
Next Steps
For now, the affected section of the Boskop facility remains closed while the investigation continues. Other parts of the plant are expected to resume normal operations, though under heightened safety checks. RDM has pledged to keep both employees and the Potchefstroom community informed of developments as more details become available.
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