WATCH: Boksburg businesses owners show grit and determination to rebuild after devastating fire

Owners of Bikeshop Boksburg, Bike Kings Boksburg and Talisman Hire, situated in a commercial complex at 40 North Rand Road, Hughes, are still reeling from damage a fire caused to the three businesses on June 23.

The impact has also left dozens of staff in danger of losing their jobs and livelihoods.
Although no one was injured in the ordeal as the businesses were closed at the time, entire inventories and other valuables estimated to be in the millions of rands were destroyed.
Reports indicated the fire broke out at about 09:00 sending massive flames and clouds of black smoke into the sky.

Boksburg Advertiser was on the scene on the day and revisited the site the next day where we found lots of activity going on – from insurance assessments of goods and property damage to briefing of staff about a way forward, removal and cleaning of items worth salvaging and preparations for a move to alternative premises.

The affected business operators described the incident as a huge loss and a disruption that will hurt their businesses.
However, all the operators said despite the negative impact of the fire they hope to return to some form of normality in the days to come.

Emergency services
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntaldi said the fire, the source of which is still unknown, had already caused extensive damage and a section of the roof had collapsed when the fire crews arrived.

“After receiving a call just after 09:00, emergency services consisting of at least eight fire engines and about 30 personnel from various stations attended the scene,” he said.
As part of the attack on a fire, and efforts to prevent the inferno from spreading to the adjacent businesses and causing further damage, the firefighters implemented exposure protection. They successfully managed to bring it under control.

No casualties were reported, except for a DEMS firefighter who sustained a minor injury when a piece of glass cut through his shoe.
Firefighters from Fidelity SecureFire also responded to the fire.

Bikeshop Boksburg
James Ridley, co-owner of Bikeshop Boksburg, said: “This is one of the saddest things that can happen to a business, but we will go all out to ensure that we come back bigger and better than before.
“Hundreds of our motorcycles were destroyed. We were, however, able to salvage the motorcycles in the workshop for repairs and regular maintenance. This is thanks to the efforts of the firefighters, who prevented the fire from spreading into that section of our business.”

Ridley said they were in the process of planning and considering available options to resume trading.
They were aiming to be fully operational by July 1 after a move to their new home within the same business complex.
“We are starting anew, and I look forward to it,” Ridley said.

Job Losses

On the other hand, workers were worried about not getting paid or losing their livelihoods completely.
However, management at Bikeshop Boksburg said they will continue paying their staff’s salaries.
“We have been running this business since 2001. We understand the anxiety of our workers and will do our best to ensure our full complement of 20 staff are supported every step of the way.”

Bike Kings Boksburg
This tragic incident comes only seven months after the Bike Kings Boksburg branch opened and proudly called the complex their Boksburg home.
The manager, Bianca Nortje, told the Advertiser it was just after 09:00 when she received a call from their security company to say the fire alarm had been activated.

Recounting the harrowing moment, Nortje said it was a shock to see their store perishing in the fire.
“We lost everything. The motorcycle gear, accessories and spare parts estimated to be worth over R1m all went up in smoke.
“These include helmets, jackets, spares, gloves, boots, communication systems for bikers and sunglasses, as well as assets and other valuables.”

Despite the setback, Nortje and her colleague’s jobs will be saved as they will work at the Bike Kings branch in Rivonia, where they will continue to serve their Ekurhuleni customers.
They do plan to reopen the Boksburg branch, she said.
Talisman Hire
Vehicles, equipment and office equipment were destroyed at Talisman Hire, a light equipment rental provider.
Despite the substantial loss of inventory and extensive damage to the building, the business remained fully operational after setting up offices in the yard outside their partially gutted building.

The manager Quentin Marais said their 12 staff members resumed work the next day and all their operating systems, including telephone lines and emails, were up and running.
“We will move to a temporary premises nearby until repairs to this building are complete,” he said.
Repairs
The owner of the business centre, Hillel Shrank, said he recognises the investigation into the cause of the fire and determining what should happen next could take months.

“The forensic teams are here and it will be a couple of weeks – maybe months – before they determine the cause of the fire and what is going to happen.
“Therefore, anyone telling you that the building will be fixed in one, two or three months, is not telling you the truth because nobody knows at this stage. It will be a forensic investigation, which could take anything up to four or five months.”

When asked about assisting tenants to find alternative premises, Shrank said: “Without a doubt. I’m working to assist my clients to get alternative premises. I already facilitated the process to get a premises for Talisman Hire and I am looking after my other tenants.”
According to Shrank, the losses amount to an estimated R50m.
“I am relieved nobody was hurt. Of course, I am upset that years of work went up in smoke, but the stock and building can be repaired.”

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