Clairwood business faces R1m loss after fire destroys property
A business owner had just completed renovating her shop when a fire engulfed the premises where she has been trading for 14 years.
A CLAIRWOOD business owner who lost almost everything when a fire ravaged her shop last week has estimated the total damage at close to R1m.
Amina Shabally said the costs would include replacing damaged stock and renovating the premises after the blaze left her business severely damaged.
Also read: Massive fire breaks out in Clairwood
Shabally, who has been trading in Clairwood for 14 years, described the incident as one of the most devastating experiences she had faced as a business owner. She said the fire broke out shortly after renovations at the shop had been completed, adding to the financial burden caused by the incident.
“We have just finished renovations at the shop, which cost us R15 000, before the fire happened,” she said.
Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Shabally suspects that an electrical fault may have triggered the blaze.
The fire destroyed a significant portion of the business’s stock, leaving her facing the costly task of replacing products and repairing the damaged premises before she can fully resume normal trading.
Shabally said she and those at the scene managed to salvage some items, but most of the stock had been severely damaged by the fire.
Also read: WATCH: Fire blazes through Montclair house
For Shabally, the incident represents a major setback after more than a decade of operating her business in Clairwood.
Despite the devastation, she expressed gratitude to the emergency services personnel who responded to the incident.
Shabally commended the firefighters and other emergency responders for their swift reaction, saying they arrived at the scene within minutes of being alerted to the blaze.
She said their prompt response helped those at the scene attempt to save what they could from the burning premises. The cause of the fire remains subject to investigation, and further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately available.
Shabally now faces the challenge of recovering from the losses and undertaking the necessary repairs to restore her business. The incident has left her counting the financial cost of the blaze as she works towards rebuilding what she has spent 14 years establishing in Clairwood.
For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox.
