A fire destroyed Taratza, a popular Mediterranean-inspired restaurant on the corner of Kloof and Van Buuren roads in Bedfordview, last night (June 25), reports Bedfordview Edenvale News.

All 10 customers and five staff members were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.

Firefighters from the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services responded to the blaze and removed seven 48kg LPG gas cylinders from the burning building, preventing further explosions.

Ward 20 councillor Jill Humphreys, who was at the scene, said: “This much-loved restaurant is gone. It has totally burnt down.”

She added that surrounding properties were also not affected.

She commended the Bedfordview CPF for doing a fantastic job of isolating the area and making space for the four fire engines from Bedfordview and Primrose.

She added, however, that firefighters could not connect to the street hydrants because the property is set too far back.

The restaurant was a new addition to Bedfordview’s culinary scene, having opened its doors in 2024.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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