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Breaking News: Fire guts Union Street shops
GALLERY: There were no injuries reported in an Empangeni fire that broke out this afternoon.
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FIRE raged through shops in the Edwards Building on Union Street this afternoon.
Just after 2pm Annemarie Tsouris, an employee of Vanda Cosmetics, smelled something burning.
‘At first I thought the plug next to me had burnt out,’ said Tsouris.
‘Then we saw smoke coming from the shop next to us.’
The building houses a few shops and offices, among others a dressmaker and a herbalist. Witnesses claimed the fire originated from the herbalist’s shop.
Owner of the building, Peter Ronald, was on the scene to direct City of uMhlathuze Fire and Rescue Services firefighters. Due to the layout of the building and the severe smoke, firefighters battled to reach the flames.
No one was injured and the fire was brought under control just after 4pm.