Fire Destroys Two Shops in Polokwane

The Polokwane Municipality has confirmed that two shops, Hungry Lion and Tip Tops, were destroyed by a devastating blaze in the city’s Central Business District (CBD) on Monday.

It is reported that the fire started in the newly opened fast-food restaurant Hungry Lion and spread to Tip Tops, situated on the corners of Paul Kruger and Rissik streets.

Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selela stated that the Fire and Rescue Services responded swiftly and successfully prevented the flames from spreading further.

An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that the firefighting response faced significant challenges. The initial water tanker on the scene quickly ran out of supply, allowing the blaze to spread further. With only one tanker available, resources proved insufficient to contain the flames. It reportedly took nearly three hours for additional tankers to arrive, during which time concerned community members stepped in, attempting to control the fire with limited means

Selela confirmed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.