Hundreds of local neighbors were forced to escape their houses when the incident occurred about 3 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The deceased are accused of being involved in a botched fuel theft attempt that resulted in a fire that destroyed business buildings and an informal settlement.
The fire was put out by firefighters, paramedics, cops, and metro cops who arrived on the site.
Local security company Security Force said several people suffered smoke inhalation.
The petroleum company involved known as the Transnet Pipelines National Operations Centre immediately shut down the pipeline and activated the emergency response plan.
The company claimed there has been an unprecedented spate of fuel theft incidents and the associated infrastructure during the last two years.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the South African authorities.
