Description

2012-02-28 Maryke Swart reports from VREDE that Nahem fuel-station owner Nico Kotze, 48, burnt to death and two workers sustained burn-injuries during the 'gigantic explosion and fire' which burnt the fuel-station and the adjacent tyre-business to the ground. SAPS Capt Harry Nagel said the workers, Bongani Ndlebe (26) and Stoffel Maduna (27), were with Mr Kotze inside the building. The causes of the explosion - which caused the evacuation of businesses in the small Free State Town - are merely suspected: the SAPS is dispatching a forensic team from Pretoria to investigate the causes of the explosion. Mr Kotze's burnt-out body was found in the smoking ruins after the fire burnt out. The owner Mr JOhan du Toit, of Speedy Tyres next door said it will take him six months to rebuild his business. A Vrede resident said no-one was allowed inside the business district 'because of fears that underground fuel tanks might explode'.
http://www.volksblad.com/Tuisblad/Ontploffing-eis-lewe-20120228-2