Update
GEORGE NEWS - The owner of Caloroso Roaster & Eatery in Meade Street, Kelvin Appelgren, said they are still in the process of assessing the damage after a fire broke out in the shop on Friday 21 October.
"There is so much to do and go through. We are trying to establish the total damage to the shop and building. The season is coming up - we want to get everything going. It is not easy," said Appelgren on Tuesday.
Heat and smoke damage also took its toll and a lot of things need to be cleaned, repainted and replaced. "The glasses all broke, the furniture needs to be cleaned, and the ceilings must be replaced. There has been loss of stock and consumables."
Caloroso had to close its doors for now, but should be open for business by the start of the holiday season.
The fire broke out early on Friday morning. Tenants who live on the first floor of the building alerted the George Fire Department shortly before 03:00.
"Our security guard let the tenants know, and they contacted the fire brigade. They were here almost immediately," said Appelgren. It is suspected that the fire started at the point of sales area, behind the counter, where the UPS (uninterrupted power supply) was situated.
The owner of the building, Wilhelm Fourie, said it is possible that the fire was caused by the overheating of the UPS, something that is known to happen with frequent load shedding.
It is suspected that the fire started at the point of sales area, behind the counter, where the UPS (uninterrupted power supply) was situated. Photo: Michelle Pienaar
Second time round
Appelgren said, "I am devastated. I have been through a similar experience before." He lost a restaurant in 2014, The Tin Horse near George Museum, due to a fire started by vagrants.
"Luckily the physical building is still here, but it will take time to clean everything up."
Municipal spokesperson Chantèl Edwards said the cause of the fire is unknown. "Forced entry was required to access the fire to prevent it from spreading further."
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