Factory fire under investigation

Approximately 320 employees are jobless, after a fire gutted a factory on Yellow Street, Madadeni on Saturday.

In the wake of the fire, questions hang in the air like rising smoke.

Questions pertaining to what the cause of the fire was, where it originated, and if the flames were part of a deliberate act of arson targeting Gold Finch Garments.

“It’s weird how factories in the area are burning down,” commented a member of staff, one of many left to sift through the ashes and seek answers.

Company secretary, Janet Swart reminisced on 12 happy years of business, in stark contrast to the reality which is more than 300 people with no way to feed their families.

Fortunately, the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning.

“We have nine staff members sleeping in the smaller building. They were woken up by the security but the fire was already raging.”

The flames tore through the factory, destroying the contents and causing more than half of the 200 square-metre building to collapse in a wreck of charred debris and twisted metal.

However, Mrs Swart believed it was not the end.

Despite the estimated millions in damage, including 14 large-scale orders to clothing outlets in Newcastle ruined, the intention is to re-open Gold Finch Garments in future and in doing so provide a lifeline to its workforce.

Camera footage from inside the building is now with SAPS investigators.