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GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Not only did Ethiopian business owner Deneke Dejene lose his livelihood when his business was razed to the ground on Saturday 22 January, but his 28 employees are now also without work or an income.
Dejene's shop in Nelson Mandela Boulevard, Family Choice Cash and Carry, burnt down in the early morning hours. It was a firm favourite among members of the community.
Thankfully no one was inside the wholesale shop when the fire destroyed the building, but Dejene estimates the damage and loss of stock and electronic equipment at millions.
"It will take very long for us to rebuild the business. A family business of 21 years destroyed in a matter of minutes. I don't know how we will recover from this or feed our families or our employees in the meantime," said a distraught Dejene.
Anyone willing to assist Dejene can contact him on 071 845 1842.
Members of the George fire brigade trying to salvage what is left of the building.
Case of arson and rumours
Conville Police opened a case of arson following the total destruction of the business. Rumours that the fire originated from a nearby premises could not be confirmed by police as the investigation is still at an early stage.
"At this stage we don't want to speculate," said Southern Cape police spokesperson Capt Malcolm Pojie.
"We are awaiting results of the analysis done on footage at our disposal, whereafter, upon completion of the investigation, the docket would be submitted to the Senior Public Prosecutor to decide whether prosecution would be instituted or not."
According to Pojie, police at the nearby station monitored the station's CCTV footage at approximately 02:00 that morning, when they noticed smoke coming from the facility across the street.
They went to inspect and found the facility ablaze and immediately called the fire brigade.
"Members of the community also assembled on the scene. Firefighters arrived promptly, but the blaze was already out of control.
"They worked hard on scene until late morning to get the fire under control and managed for it not to spread to the adjacent buildings," said Pojie.
He said forensic experts from both the fire brigade and police combed the scene for clues. The exact origin of the fire is still to be determined.
Video: Supplied
The fire brigade on the scene Saturday morning. Photos: Capt Malcolm Pojie
Officer injured in scuffle
A scuffle ensued between one of the members on scene and bystanders, resulting in an official incurring slight injuries to his shoulder and back.
"He was taken to hospital for medical treatment and has been discharged already," said Pojie.
The building and its contents were completely destroyed.
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