Durban's biggest fire Photo Shows: A Dangerous section of one of the burned out building is demolished after the fire. Flames, 150 feet high, belched from the roofs of two office buildings in the centre of Durban, South African, A few seconds after a fire broke out there, September 8. severe damage was done to a cinemas, shops and offices fronting west-street. estimated value of the fire damage was $500,000. September 27, 1951. (Photo by Associated Press)