Seven shops, including Ayaan Flavour Shop, were engulfed in flames after a shopping centre in Diederichs Street was gutted by fire yesterday (November 9), reports Witbank News.

Firefighters and emergency personnel rushed to the scene just after 22:00 to extinguish the inferno as heavy smoke filled the area, with residents in nearby flats leaning out of windows to capture video footage.

According to one of the shop owners, employees in one of the stores were robbed and tied up with cable ties prior to the blaze.

“The robbers left the tied-up employees in the shop and set it alight,” the shop owner alleged.

Police have not yet officially verified these allegations.

Today (November 10), the municipal law enforcement unit had its hands full controlling crowds as members of the community attempted to loot what remained inside the burning stores.

“We are really concerned. Come tonight, the burglar bars and security doors will be stolen,” said Sayyed A. Dalim, who owns a shop across the road.

 Witbank News was on the scene. You can watch the video here.

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