GEORGE NEWS - A new restaurant/bar, The Tin Horse, scheduled to open its doors just a week from now on 1 March, was completely gutted by a fire in the early hours of this morning.

All that remains of the old Zanzibar in Courtenay Street are a few smouldering embers.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, but social media platforms are abuzz with comments implicating 'bergies' and 'bosslapers'.

A shocked Charl Reeders, the area manager of Boomerang - the holding company of the ill-fated restaurant that also owns VCafe, VGrill and VBar in George - says passing ambulance men first notified the fire brigade just before 03:00.

"I was notified of the fire by ADT at about 03:30 this morning. I immediately went to fetch the keys to the premises to provide access for the firemen and arrived at the scene just after 04:00. As I drove up, I could see that the keys would be of no use - both train coaches were completely engulfed by flames."

Reeders did not want to speculate, but he says at this stage it seems as though the fire started at the alley near the ablutions. "Everything is wood, so there is nothing left."

He said Boomerang has invested over R160 000. "On Friday we were busy with the lighting. I can't imagine that we will continue with The Tin Horse. To replace the old train coaches will be a mammoth and extremely expensive exercise. It's very distressing when you have a plan and litterally see it go up in flames. Apart from the money, we put in lots of time and effort."

Reeders said about 8 people would have been employed at their new restaurant.
The business is insured.

The Tin Horse
Well-known George restaurateur, Kelvin Appelgren, the owner of Caloroso Coffee in Meade Street in George, was the man behind the brand new concept, The Tin Horse.

Applegren, would have rented the premises from the lease holder, Boomerang.

He told the George Herald this morning that he was a completely independent operator with no operational links with the VBar/Grill/Cafe concept.

"I am the lessee and was approached by Boomerang to rent the premises from them to create something very special. I would have opened the doors on 1 March. I am devastated. Apart from the loss of tens of thousands of rand, the historical value of these vintage carriages cannot be put in monetary terms. The Tin Horse would have become a landmark restaurant in George. We were busy with the finishing touches and the tiles would have gone up tomorrow."

PHOTO GALLERY


The view of the premises from Courtenay Street. Photo: Tanya Watson


Almost nothing is left of the orginial structure. Photo: Tanya Watson

ARTICLE: ILSE SCHOONRAAD, GEORGE HERALD EDITOR

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