Fire breaks out at store
The cause of the fire that burned down a store to the ground is yet to be determined.
Firefighters were hard at work in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a fire broke out at Nizams store at Soshanguve Batho Plaza.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Although several people suspect an ATM bombing went wrong, residents of the area think otherwise.
According to residents who live close to Batho Plaza, the fire started at the back of the store, but no explosions were heard.
Firefighters managed to stop the fire from spreading to other stores. A spokesperson from the fire department, who asked to remain anonymous, said she could not disclose any information because the police were involved in the investigation as well.
Other residents suspect the possibility of burglary. “There are no signs yet but the investigations are still ongoing,” said Moshape Katlego, a forensic investigator.
Tshepo Mokwena, security assistant at Nizams store, told Rekord he received news about the fire at around 03:50. He then called the fire department.
“Apparently the fire started at around 02:00 and we do not know what started it,” said Mokwena.
Mokwena then contacted Rietgat police.
The fire did not only affect Nizams’ customers but Rage store customers as well.
The post office and FNB and Nedbank ATMs are not operating.
“What happened at Nizams is bad. Right now we have to close and our customers want to buy and pay their accounts.” said Johanna Nkosi, an employee at Rage.
Leah Skosane, a customer, said she was shocked to find the store closed. “I did not know about the fire. I came here to buy something at Nizams, only to find out that Nizams is no more.”
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