GEORGE NEWS - The Conville police has opened a case of arson following the total destruction of an Ethiopian storage facility/shop situated in Nelson Mandela Boulevard in the early hours of Saturday, 22 January.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Malcolm Pojie, police at the nearby station monitored the station's CCTV footage at about 02:00 this morning, when they noticed smoke coming from the facility across the street.
The members went to inspect and found the facility ablaze, after which they immediately called the fire brigade to extinguish the fire.
"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.
Pojie said forensic experts from both the fire brigade and police combed the scene for clues. The origin of the fire is still to be determined.
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 had been discharged already," said Pojie.
Firefighters are still on scene to ensure that the scene is safe and no flare-ups occur.
Photo supplied
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