Fire destroys Indian Centre halaal restaurant

A food outlet in the Indian Centre shopping complex could have been razed on Monday morning were it not for the swift response of Polo­kwane Municipality’s firefighters
Bystanders at the scene alleged that one of the tenants in the store had forgotten to switch off a primus paraffin stove and this caused the fire.
The store owner, who wished to remain anonymous, clarified the allegations saying the fire started from the top and this could have been due to faulty electric wires.
He further said he was in the kitchen making tea when a person came running saying the shop was on fire.
“I could not see the fire because it started in rooms on top which I am renting out to street vendors to store their goods,” he stated, adding that his products were affected but could not estimate the costs.
Provincial Police spokesperson Monatse Mamabolo said the owner was busy cooking when the incident, in which a woman suffered minor injuries, occurred.
The injured person was taken to hospital for treatment.
He stated that the cause of the fire was still unknown at the stage and Police investigations were underway. Mamabolo emphasised that the store owner did not open a case with the Police yet.

Story & photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za