Forensic experts to examine Middelburg blast factory

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Forensics experts and a team from the department of labour will begin their investigation in earnest on Tuesday morning following a massive explosion at Rolfe Laboratories at Middelburg in the Eastern Cape.

By late Monday afternoon, Middelburg fire department crews were still attending to hot spots at the badly damaged facility.

Company owner Brad Rolfe visited the injured in hospital and will also undertake a full inspection of the perfume factory.

Its been operating at Middelburg for the past forty years, and employs anywhere between 350 and 500 people.

At least 35 people were treated for burn wounds at the Wilhelm Stahl Hospital in Middelburg and 18 of the injured were transferred to the Dora Nginza hospital in Port Elizabeth with serious burns.

Police captain John Fobian said the facility had been sealed off and that an arson docket had been opened as standing operating procedure.