Three storage areas at the Hulett's sugar factory in Durban were gutted by a fire on Friday, the eThekwini fire department said.

Divisional commander Alfred Newman said that the fire started at the factory on South Coast Road at 4.40am.

"Three large storage areas containing sugar were on fire. Two of the facilities were completely destroyed, while the third facility was partially gutted," he said.

Newman said fireman were by 8.30am still at the scene extinguishing the fire.

Netcare 911 paramedics and police were also on standby at the scene.

Newman said no injuries had been reported. "The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage, but we will be investigating," he said.

Sapa