MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) - A devastating fire caused havoc early on Thursday morning, July 1, in Songozwi Street. The blazing inferno left well-known local sports store, Playboy Sports, in charred ruins.

An emotional Mr Iqbal Ahmed (owner) watched in disbelief as his life’s work was reduced to ashes in front of his very eyes. By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, there was little more left to do but to try and prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding shops. The fire started a couple of hours before daybreak. It is still not known what sparked the blaze. The damage is estimated to run into millions of rands.

“I was shattered … all my hard work and dreams burned to the ground in hours,” was Mr Ahmed’s comment on Wednesday this week as he relived that fateful morning’s events.

“But the sun will rise again and Playboy Sports will come back. It will be bigger and better than ever before with the help of god almighty, Allah,” said Mr Ahmed.

Mr Ahmed said he will start rebuilding his store as soon as possible. This, however, may take a couple of months. He expressed a word a gratitude towards all who supported him during and after the fire with special mention to his landlords, Mr Pierre and Mrs Anita Grobler, as well as Mr and Mrs Alberts from the butchery, Mr and Mrs De Beer from De Beers Jewellers, Mr and Mrs Lemmer from Feminique and Mr Moolman from Weldon’s Pharmacy. He also had high praise for the local and AFB Makhado’s fire department.

He concluded by saying: “On behalf of the AV Mohammed family, I would like to thank the entire community, business sector and friends and suppliers countrywide for their support during our dark hour.”