POLOKWANE – What was meant to be a new chapter of opportunity for workers turned into tragedy after a fire gutted two businesses, TipTop and the newly opened Hungry Lion, in the CBD on Monday afternoon.

The blaze, which broke out a few minutes before 14:00 at the corner of Excelsior and Paul Kruger streets, engulfed TipTop, a garment store next to Hungry Lion and spread rapidly, destroying the fast-food outlet. Both shops were engulfed, leaving newly hired workers and informal traders reeling.

Eyewitnesses and street vendors had no option but to watch as stock was reduced to ashes. One street vendor said: “I lost all my stock. I don’t know how I am going to recover from this.” Amid the destruction, looters tried to raid nearby shops, but the owners managed to save some goods.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Also see: VIDEOS: Firefighters Battle Blaze at Hungry Lion in Polokwane CBD

The Polokwane Municipality’s fire and rescue services responded, though eyewitnesses claimed it took over an hour for fire trucks to arrive and that they ran out of water while trying to contain the fire, with civilians stepping in to assist before other trucks arrived.

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said they were thankful that there were no injuries or casualties. “The incident is a big loss for the community, and investigations are underway.”

Polokwane Observer reached out to Hungry Lion’s head of property, Jacques Dreyer, who expressed devastation, but relief that none of their staff or members of the public were hurt. The owners of TipTop said they would comment after gathering all the facts.