Case of arson not investigated as yet after fire at Crown National
Spokesman, Lt Col Erard Stroh said police had opened an enquiry into the cause of the fire.
MBOMBELA – At this stage police are not investigating a case of arson regarding the fire at Crown National on Monday night.
Spokesman, Lt Col Erard Stroh said police had opened an enquiry into the cause of the fire.
“At this moment we are not investigating a case of arson. We might change this at a later stage depending on the fire department’s report.
“Crown National also sent their own investigators to look at what caused the fire.”
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Investigators could only access the building on Wednesday. Parts of it could still be seen smouldering on Thursday morning.
The reception area seemed to still be intact. The rest of the building is severely damaged.
Smoke could be seen across the city’s horizon when the building, situated at Riverside Industrial Park, almost burned to the ground.
The fire started after the lock-up alarm had been activated. Nobody was injured during the blaze.
Mbombela municipality spokesman Joseph Ngala stated that the police and the fire department were looking into the matter. “We have questions why the building’s fire alarm and sprinklers did not go off.
“The reason for them malfunctioning is a huge question we need answered.”
Crown National spokesman Dawid Muller said, “Unfortunately I cannot respond at this stage, as the matter is under investigation.
“Any comment at this stage will be purely speculative and information is sub judice.”
The business is currently being run from 31 Waterfall Avenue, Riverside Industrial Park.
