JEFFREYS BAY - FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED AFTER FIRE GUTS BILLABONG WAREHOUSE

   SAPS opened inquest case after fire at Billabong warehouse in Jeffrey's Bay early this morning.

Preliminary police investigations have indicated foul play in the fire that destroyed the Billabong warehouse in Jeffrey's Bay.

Emergency services from Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and Hankey were called out after midnight on Tuesday to the warehouse situated at Da Gama road.

Kouga Municipality fire fighters extinguished the blaze at around 03.30am and no nearby shops were affected.

Police spokesperson, Sergeant Majola Nkohli, said they have now opened an arson docket.

"With regards to the outcomes of our preliminary investigation which suggest that there was foul play so the case has now been changed from an inquiry into a case of arson," he said.

Meanwhile, Billabong General Manager, Ernest Bendeman, said in a short statement that while the building (warehouse) was badly damaged, no staff members were injured.

Bendeman said "all other areas in the building were unaffected and it's business as usual."

He said the extent of the damage is still not known.

VIA - SA Police Service / algoafm.co.za