AN EXPLOSION at a scrap yard in Chloorkop outside Tembisa on the East Rand left small body parts of a man strewn across the ground - a scene which left even police officers shocked.

The deceased man is believed to be the owner of the scrap yard, which is near the training base of Premier Soccer League outfit Mamelodi Sundowns.

He was blown apart in the powerful explosion which took place at around 4pm. "It's a mess," said a police officer who attended the scene.

When Sowetan arrived, a number of police officers stood outside the entrance to the scrap yard and one of them said: "I don't think I'll be able to eat tonight. That was a horrible sight."

Another said: "It is bad."

Sowetan saw remains of the man about 100 metres away from where the explosion took place.

Gauteng police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Katlego Mogale confirmed that one person had died. She said an inquest docket had been opened and the cause of the explosion was still unknown.

A Sundowns employee said she heard a loud bang, and when she enquired she was told that there had been an explosion nearby.

"Everybody rushed to see what was going on.

"I saw some parts and decided not to go any further as I was scared of what I would find if I get nearer," the woman said.