By Annisa Essack
14:06:2021

Residents at the upmarket Pearl Sky apartment building in Umhlanga were evacuated in the early hours of Monday morning after a fire broke out in the penthouse, owned by a renowned Durban businessman.

The Pearls of Umhlanga body corporate confirmed in a statement that “there was a fire at Pearl Sky in the early hours of this morning.”

In a statement issued by Netcare 911, the fire started at the pool and jacuzzi pump on the outside deck.

“A security official in the building, who attempted to douse the fire, was injured in the process, sustaining minor burns and smoke inhalation,” said Shawn Herbst, Netcare 911 spokesperson.

eThekwini fire and rescue divisional commander Jay Kanniappen told TimesLIVE that the fire had broken out around the pool and jacuzzi area of the penthouse on the 32nd floor of the building.

Kanniappen said residents from 30 floors below had to be evacuated as a precautionary measure, and no occupants were affected. A member of the security personnel was overcome with smoke and treated by paramedics.