Camp blaze opens up new supply options
FOOD trucks, stalls and takeaways could soon give visitors to the Storms River Mouth rest camp a whole new holiday experience as officials are looking for alternative food suppliers after the fac only restaurant and shop burnt down in a massive blaze at the weekend.
For the time being, guests have been asked to make their own arrangements for food and drinks.
Regional spokeswoman for SANParks along the Garden Route Nandi Mgwadlamba said they were still accessing the damage of Friday’s fire, but they are already looking at plans to keep their visitors happy as the holiday crowd is slowly but surely pulling in.
“One possibility is bringing in some vendors, maybe some food trucks, for the holiday season. We are also considering putting up a temporary structure at the restaurant’s parking area where visitors can buy the essentials, but at the moment this is only preliminary planning,” Mgwadlamba said.
The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen of the Cattle Baron restaurant on Friday, shortly before 5pm.
Customers inside the restaurant and adjacent shop were asked to leave as staff tried to control the blaze.
“It is unclear what exactly inside the kitchen caused the fire. Once staff members noticed it, they tried to throw a wet blanket on the fire, but it soon started spreading and became out of control.”
The shop next to the restaurant – that sold groceries and curios – as well as a large wooden deck overlooking the sea which provided outdoor seating for the restaurant, were completely destroyed by the blaze. Emergency crews were able to control the fire to one side, saving the ablutions right next to the shop.
“A helicopter was dispatched and arrived shortly after 6pm, and with its help we were fortunate to prevent the fire from spreading to the surrounding bushes. That could have had a devastating impact on the entire reserve around the rest camp,” Mgwadlamba said.
Mgwadlamba said visitors have been advised to do their shopping at the nearby Storms River Village.