Fire engulfs PMB outdoor store
Umsunduzi Fire says around 20 firefighters were needed to tackle the
devastating blaze at an outdoor equipment shop in Pietermaritzburg.
The service's Lincoln Pennells says they were alerted to the emergency at around 8pm on Tuesday night.
Pennells says the flames spread quickly, burning through parts of the Midlands Campworld and Safari Centre.
"The place was well engulfed. The fire was quite big, because it involved caravans, camping equipment and gas cylinders. It took us about 10 to 15 minutes to contain [the fire] and prevent it from spreading," he said.
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Pennells says no one was hurt.
He says members of the community and staff from a nearby petrol station worked quickly to evacuate the garage and restaurant in the vicinity of the burning premises on Alan Paton Road.
"As soon as the fire broke out, the garage and the restaurant that are on the premises vacated the area. The garage was not threatened at all," he said.
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Meanwhile, Midlands Campworld and Safari Centre says it suffered terrible losses as a result of the fire.
The company has posted a notice on its website and Facebook page, thanking people for their concern and well-wishes. It says customers involved will be notified in due course.
It is urging anyone who may have had a caravan in for a service or sale to get in touch with the company.