WATCH: Rosettenville fierce blaze cripples businesses
A few businesses were alight as a blaze broke out in a business complex in Rosettenville early on September 29.
A fire that broke out on the corner of Main and Daisy streets in Rosettenville left small business owners devastated.
The blaze broke out on September 29 and started in the early hours. It left some businesses in the complex severely affected, while others suffered minor losses.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services arrived on scene to put out the fire before it could spread to other parts of the complex.
Businesses affected by the fire include a tyre business, a scrapyard, a phone repair business, a food shop and a poultry business, with damages ranging from minor to severe.
The group of frustrated business owners told the COURIER the fire started in the scrapyard, moving to other parts of the complex.
A devastated tyre business owner said he lost R350 000 worth of goods.
Clothing and food business owner Pablo Palata said they now have to rebuild.
“We now don’t know what we are going to do. We have only been here for about four months,” said Palata.
The business owners jointly demanded that the scrapyard be moved to an industrial area as it poses health and safety concerns.
Speaking on behalf of the scrapyard, Mirriam Johnson assured the COURIER the blaze did not erupt from their business.
“If the fire had started from here, all our belongings should be ashes by now. This business has been here for years now without problems,” she said.
The landlord of the business complex was not available for comment.
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