However; residents of the area decided that; they will use the opportunity to loot the store; despite the bellowing smoke and the roof caving in.
While Shoprite staff ran for their lives trying to escape the fire and smoke; residents were running into the shop to steal groceries and other items. This is when an 11-year-old boy sustained minor injuries.
Opportunistic residents run towards the burning shop
The staff who began to evacuate the store; said; scores of residents went inside and looted the store. In panic the employees; called the police and private security company to control the crowds.
The local newspaper learned from the store supervisor that; it was unclear where the fire began; but it came from the storeroom area; causing the roof to cave in from the flames.
The supervisor added that; while they were evacuating the staff; the crowds came rushing into the store and started emptying the shelves despite the smoke that was quickly engulgung the store.
The supervisor saw old women braving the smoke; they were coughing from smoke inhalation; but still came out carrying foodstuffs like meat; vegetables and other items.
None of the staff members attempted to stop them because all the shop employees cared about; was getting out of there; before the roof fell on them.
A source who spoke to the local newspaper; Graham Prinsloo said; the street was buzzing with people running towards the blaze.
At first Prinsloo thought they were just being curious; but then he later saw them returning with food.
Prinsloo said; the roof was on fire as could be seen from far; but the people kept running inside the store; time and again.
Prinsloo said; he understood that people were hungry; but risking their lives for a small tin of coffee; did not make any sense.
Residents running into a burning Shoprite to loot the store.
The spokesperson for the fire and rescue services; Jermaine Carelse; confirmed that an 11-year-old boy was hurt during the fiery incident.
Carelse revealed that; ten firefighting vehicles; and more than forty staff members were at the scene to battle the blaze.
Carelse said; they searched the premises; to confirm that everyone had come out of the inferno filled store; however; flames had been extinguished by around 7:40 p.m.
Carelse revealed that; the roof of the building; was severely damaged and had caved in; while a fire Safety officer; will be doing a thorough investigation; to determine the cause and origin of the fire.
The spokesperson for the SAPS in the Western Cape; Captain FC van Wyk said; the Elsies River SAPS have opened an inquest docket to investigate the matter; however; they have to wait for the full fire report before they can proceed.