“Where will we go for a drink now?” was the first question on Droogeheuwel regulars’ lips after hearing the shocking news about the famous pub burning down in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Droogeheuwel manager, Ian Bossert who lives on the property said in an exclusive interview with the Herald they closed the venue as usual. Around midnight on Thursday morning, an hour after closing, he saw smoke coming from the building.
It all went downhill from there. The police are not suspecting any foul play,” he said.
Bossert estimated the damage to be more than R4 million.
“It definitely is more than R4 million. I actually think it to be around R8 million or R10 million worth of damage. Everything burned – the bar, the restaurant, the chapel. The only thing that didn’t burn was the outside stage.”
Droogeheuwel owner, Johan van Vuuren was shaken equally by the sudden loss.
There is a saying that it is not the way you fall, but the way you get up’ so Droogeheuwel definitely is not finished. We have an event scheduled for 30 August and we’re going through with it. Marulaboom is scheduled to perform. We’re going to have it outside at the stage,” Bossert said positively.
Bossert and Van Vuuren also thank the community for all their support in these tough times.
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Also read:
BREAKING NEWS: Droogeheuwel destroyed by fire
Droogeheuwel blaze: ‘It took us the whole night
GALLERY: Droogeheuwel burns down
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