Lonehill Shopping Centre, in northern Johannesburg near Fourways, was closed this morning (October 25) after a fire broke out at a restaurant, reports the Fourways Review.

Ward 94 councillor David Foley, who witnessed the incident, confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and that the Lonehill Fire Department had attended the scene.

Foley said the fire started at about 08:30. He noticed smoke while filling potholes at the intersection of Lonehill Boulevard and Lone Close, a road leading into the shopping centre.

“The restaurant caught fire. It was about 3m higher than the roof,” Foley said, describing how high the flames had risen.

People inside the shops were evacuated as a safety precaution while emergency services responded.

“Everyone was evacuated, from those who were at the gym to those doing their normal shopping,” Foley said.

Although an electrical fault is suspected, the cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed.

Foley praised the City of Johannesburg Fire Department for its response to the incident.

“The City of Joburg Fire Department team response time and actions were excellent,” he said.

The shopping centre remained closed at the time of publication. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.

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