A fireman dampens down the scene of the blaze

Anacondas Caught Up In Factory Fire

Emergency officials have rescued two anacondas from a factory fire in Verulam, north of Durban. Firefighters were called out to the polystyrene factory on Lake View Road just before 11am on Monday.

The blaze spread rapidly through the building but firefighters managed to control it. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.

Netcare911's Chris Botha says 14 people were treated for smoke inhalation. They are in a stable condition.

Botha added that two anacondas, believed to belong to the owner of the factory, were also rescued.

"While firemen were busy fighting the fire they realised there were actually cages with two anacondas in there. Very quick thinking from them - they managed to fill the containers up with water to prevent the snakes from burning - although the snakes had severe smoke inhalation problems I managed to get the snakes out of there and we sent them through with the owner to a vet," Botha said.

Anacondas are indigenous to South America and are not venomous.