Dowerglen couple loses vintage car to fire
“It was just a rolling chassis and was often used in commercials with DSTV."
A Dowerglen couple is seeking assistance from the community after their Pink 1964 Ford Galaxy 500 limited edition was allegedly set alight last week.
Robby and Karen Harrison believe the vehicle was intentionally set alight on the evening of August 8 during load-shedding.
Robby said while he was at a friend’s house he got a phone call informing him that the vehicle, which was parked on the corner of Elm Street and Dickie Fritz Avenue, was alight.
Karen, who was at home with the couple’s two children but unaware of the blaze, said she could not hear the commotion outside because of the generator which was running at the time.
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She said by the time she went outside the fire department had put out the fire.
Robby said it wasn’t only a car that was destroyed but a piece of history.
“It was only one of three in Africa. I was so depressed.”
Robby said fortunately the engine was removed two months ago for repairs. He said the battery and petrol tank were also removed while none of the wires were connected.
Robby said a car cannot just catch a light, so someone must have seen something.
As the vehicle was not complete and didn’t have its engine inside, it was not insured.
Robby said it worth between R2m and R2.5m.
“It was just a rolling chassis and was often used in commercials with DSTV,” said Karen.
He said soon after the family moved into the property last October from Hyde Park, driving a gold holographic-wrapped Audi R8, rumours circulated that they were associated with a drug cartel.
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Robby refuted these claims.
“We are a family with two children. We do car restorations and I work in the construction industry.”
Karen said they are one of the only companies in SA which do holographic and chrome vehicle wraps.
She explained that the couple has a residential and business lease at the property.
“The only reason why we moved to this side was because it made sense to live and run the business from here instead of Hyde Park,” she said.
According to the couple, more tension in the community grew in February.
“There are certain people in the neighbourhood who are against us being here. They can be considered suspects but we don’t have any proof. Nobody saw anything,” said Robby.
Following the fire, Robby said his wife and children are relocating to Hyde Park to keep them safe.
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When Bedfordview and Edenvale NEWS visited them on Friday, the family was packing their belongings.
Robby said five of his 10 cars would also be removed and taken to storage facilities. He would remain at the property working on the other vehicles.
With the hopes of getting assistance from the community, the couple are hoping to find the perpetrators.
Karen said if anyone does have camera footage of the incident to please share it.
“This information will be shared with the police so that a criminal case can be opened.
“The police officers who were on the scene were very helpful.”
Karen commended the police officers and fire brigade for their assistance.
City of Ekurhuleni’s DEMS media liaison William Ntladi said fire and rescue services received an alarm at 22:50 about a light motor vehicle at the property on fire.
“Six firefighters from Bedfordview responded with a major pumper for intervention,” said Ntladi.
He said on arrival the light motor vehicle was well alight.
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“Fire suppression was immediately initiated, using a hose reel from the fire engine and flames were brought under control in no time.”
After the fire was extinguished, DEMS conducted an assessment.
“No injuries were accounted for as there wasn’t anyone inside the vehicle which was parked on the pavement,” said Ntladi.
He said the cause of the fire is unknown and still the subject of investigations.
Anyone with information about the fire can email blingwrapsa@gmail.com
