The eThekwini Municipality fire department suspects “arson” behind the fire at Denny Mushroom plant in Shongweni, KwaZulu-Natal.

This is according to Denis Govender, eThekwini fire divisional commander, who spoke to The Witness on Tuesday.

“Based on the sporadic nature of how the fire started, we suspect that it is arson. The South African Police Services was there and we told them our suspicions. Whether an inquest was opened is not up to us, that’s for the company to find out,” he said.

The fire broke out at the mushroom plant on Friday last week and gutted much of the factory.

Denny Mushrooms plant in Shongweni KZN gutted by a fire. Reports say some disgruntled employees started the blaze over a wage dispute. pic.twitter.com/Z4kgnZ5Q0y

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 11, 2022

Govender said it took several fire departments to control the fire.

“Our priority was on limiting the damage. I think we saved about 60% of the factory from the fire but you obviously cannot account for water damage,” he said.

Govender said this was the second fire at the factory in as many weeks.

He said the first fire was small and caused minimal damage.

Several allegations online have been spread about the fire.

Attempts to get comment from the company have proved futile. However, the company did release a statement over the weekend confirming the fire.

“We are working with authorities to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the fire. We are focused on servicing the needs of our customers to ensure we’re able to meet the demand and quality of the mushrooms,” the statement read.