FIRE fighters are continuing to monitor the Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha since the fire that engulfed it two weeks ago.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Government, working with the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, continues to conduct daily inspections of the site.
The facility is being monitored by fire fighters primarily through periodic and external inspections to determine the safety of the building, which is owned by the provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
The fire fighters conduct a thorough assessment of the damage and the evacuation of any movable assets that remain untouched by the fire.
Over the past three days, smoke has emanated from the fifth and eight floors. Yesterday morning, fire fighters used controlled methods inside the building to cool off the structure for faster release of heat and smoke.
This high-risk activity was undertaken to move the building towards a condition where there is no active fire that remains concealed within enclosed spaces. Following the operation, the increase in billowing smoke has been observed, attributed to trapped heat and combustion gases now being safely released from the affected strong rooms.
This is an expected and controlled occurrence as conditions stabilise, and it does not indicate any new fire activity. The situation remains under control, with teams continuing to monitor the site closely through periodic external assessments.
The provincial government will provide further updates as new developments arise.
