VANDERBIJLPARK – Chaos erupted at the Vanderbijlpark Civic Centre on Monday morning, January 6, as fire tore through several shops.

According to the information at our disposal, a suspected burglary at a popular chicken franchise turned into a fire when a group of robbers allegedly set the shop ablaze after a botched escape.

The fire quickly spread, engulfing neighbouring stores and sending thick, black smoke billowing into the sky.

Firefighters and emergency crews are on the scene in a desperate attempt to put out the flames, leaving shop owners, employees, and customers devastated.

Hundreds of bystanders crowded the scene, some filming the raging blaze on their phones while others watched in shock.

This is a developing story.