STAFF REPORTER
As the dust settled on the fire that gutted Bona Superette in Victoria Road, Grassy Park, over the weekend, police reported that they had arrested 10 people for stealing groceries from the premises.
Three men had sustained minor injuries in the fire, caused by “an electrical fault”, on Saturday July 9, around 2.30am. Police suspected no foul play.
Grassy Park police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Wynita Kleinsmith, told Southern Mail that yesterday, Tuesday July 12, at 4.15am, two women and eight men between the ages of 18 and 55 had been arrested for stealing groceries. They will appear on charges of business burglary in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, tomorrow Thursday July 14.
On the night of the fire, officers of Grassy Park police had rescued one man, aged 36, after he had been found trapped inside the shop, said Warrant Officer Kleinsmith.
“The victim sustained minor injuries. When police arrived on the scene, they saw two people outside (who sustained minor injuries) and when they went nearer to investigate, they heard someone shouting from inside the shop. The officers broke down a window and burglar bars and rescued the man. The shop owners are believed to be Bangladeshi men who lived in the shop. “
Warrant Officer Kleinsmith added: “No criminal case was opened, damages to the shop at this point seem to be bad, but it can only be determined by the owner.”
Theo Layne, media liaison officer for Fire and Rescue Services, said: “The City’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to the incident on Saturday July 9, at 2.34am. Three men were treated for smoke inhalation and removed to hospital by ambulance. The building and contents are severely damaged but the cause of the fire is undetermined.”