Fiery end to 2 birthday parties
2008-09-30 09:16
Pretoria - Two birthday parties ended dramatically over the weekend when a well-known Centurion restaurant, situated close to the fire station, burnt down.
About 21 partygoers had to be evacuated from Fanie's Place in Lyttelton at about 01:00 on Saturday morning.
Owner Fanie Viljoen and his family also lost their home and possessions in the blaze. The whole building was gutted.
Viljoen said the fire presumably started at a chips fryer in the kitchen and then spread quickly. "Two gas bottles also exploded due to the heat.
"The fire spread quickly to the thatched roof and then it was unstoppable. Firefighters, who are right across from the restaurant, were quickly on the scene, but the wind fanned the flames."
Viljoen's three-year-old son Fanie jnr, who was sleeping in his room upstairs, was carried out in time, and no one was injured.
'People just scattered'
Deon Swaak of Zwartkop was on his way home when he saw the fire and went to investigate.
"I had my camera with me and could take pictures.
"When the second gas bottle exploded, all the people standing around outside, just scattered."
Swaak's wife Helét heard the explosions from their home about 2km away.
"When the first gas bottle blew, she called me and said she thought an ATM was being blown up," said Swaak.
Viljoen estimated the damages at about R3m. An investigation would be launched to determine the exact cause of the fire.