MPILETSO MOTUMI
MOFOLO Central residents woke up today to find the Mofolo Park Cultural Bowl is no more.
The colourful rainbow structure was undergoing renovations when it caught fire last night.
“The whole structure was in flames when emergency services arrived. The roofing was made out of a flammable substance,” said Joburg emergency management services spokeswoman Nana Radebe.
One firefighter was injured, sustaining injuries to the head and back, after a wooden plank fell on him. He was in a stable condition in Netcare Milpark Hospital.
The firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to the surrounding structures at the park, including a community centre and an international sports complex for the disabled.
“The structure is solid wood and it can reignite. A preliminary safety investigation will be done,” said Radebe.
Caretaker Mathabo Bonase said she realised there was a problem when a security guard alerted her.
“The fire started on the far end of the structure at around 6.30pm. It was initially a small fire, so we tried to put it out with a hosepipe, but it got worse and we called the fire department,” she said.
Bonase said renovations started on January 4 and were supposed to be completed by February 4.
Some residents and councillors gathered to witness the damage last night.
“I saw smoke from as far out as White City and I came to see what was going on. This place has been around for years. We came here for recreational activities,” said Gift Mtjileni.
Firefighters put out the blaze at around 8pm.
Zodwa Nxumalo, the City of Joburg councillor for community development and arts and culture, said there would be a meeting to discuss the way forward once an investigation into the fire was completed.
The cultural bowl is a popular area in Mofolo Central, and has hosted jazz festivals and local and international musicians.