On Friday morning, fire and rescue officials in Cape Town cordoned off a section of Voortrekker Road after the Bellville Civic Centre caught fire.
UPDATE: Firefighters contain Bellville Civic Centre blaze
As reported by IOL News, fire and rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse revealed that it took 35 staff members and nine firefighting appliances to contain the blaze that’s caused extensive damage to the civic centre.
“The damages are concentrated to the under-stage and stage areas and a section of the auditorium. The fire also caused substantial damage to the roof,” Carelse said.
Watch: Bellville Civic Centre up in smoke
Motorists captured footage of the multi-storey building engulfed in flames.
Carelse confirmed that the cause of the fire was the subject of an ongoing investigation. All that’s known at this time, is that the blaze may have started before 06:00.
This is footage of the burning building that surfaced on social media:
Bellville Civic Centre Cape Town on fire. pic.twitter.com/QEH3WeqnhX
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) May 28, 2021
Golden Arrow bus, vehicle torched at Nyanga terminus
In an unrelated incident, public transit commuters at the Nyanga East terminus were forced to make alternative plans after a Golden Arrow bus and another vehicle were set alight.
Fire and rescue officials arrived at the scene to douse the fires and the matter is being investigated by police. At this time, no official statement has come from that fire.
It’s not known if the bus or the vehicle had occupants, nor has there been an indication on how the police are treating this inquest.
Here’s footage of the aftermath:
#Arson A Golden Arrow Bus and a bakkie set alight this morning at Nyanga Terminus in Cape Town. Motive is still unknown.. @News24 @SAPoliceService @SALTruckers @eNCA @MARIUSBROODRYK @1SecondLater @BOSBEER2006 pic.twitter.com/GupADvkZ1Z
— BOSBEER.COM (@BOSBEER2006) May 28, 2021