A fire destroyed a student residence at Mapulaneng Technical College in Acornhoek on the morning of February 11, leaving several students and other occupants stranded.

According to a source, the blaze broke out around 06:00, consuming multiple rooms occupied mainly by students.

“Nobody knows how the fire started, but the residence was completely destroyed this morning. A number of students and other people who lived there have lost all their belongings,” the source said.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and all residents have been accounted for.

Shop Fire in Acornhoek

In a separate incident on February 10, a shop previously owned by the late Bishop Benjamin Silinda of the Nazarene Revival Church also caught fire.

“We do not know what caused the fire, but some people managed to loot bed mattresses and other goods before the shop was completely destroyed,” said another source.

Similar to the student residence fire, no injuries were reported.

Police Response

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed awareness of both incidents but stated that no cases had been opened at the Acornhoek Police Station.

Attempts to reach the shop’s management, the owner of the student residence, and affected students were unsuccessful.

Investigations into the cause of both fires are ongoing.