Brakpan Library in Ekurhuleni gutted by fire, parts of building destroyed
The monumental Brakpan Library in the City of Ekurhuleni was gutted by fire, leaving parts of the historic building destroyed.
City officials confirmed that the 93-year-old library in the east of Johannesburg was engulfed by flames on Friday night.
Firefighters were finally able to extinguish the blaze in the early hours of Saturday morning after battling stubborn flames through the night.
The historic structure was built more than 80 years ago and later declared a heritage site.
Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the old building was previously a target of vandalism.
He said there were strong suspicions that the latest incident was a case of arson.
“We are hoping that the police will be able to make an arrest soon because there are certain leads we are following.
“We don’t know who the suspects are, and we cannot divulge what is being done, but there is work that is being done to get to the bottom of the incident.”
A significant part of the town’s history, Dlamini said the damage to the building was saddening.
“We are now faced with the task of actually trying to see if we can rebuild or refurbish the building because it’s part of the history of Brakpan and the history of Ekurhuleni – and the history of the country.”
-EWN
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