Arsonists target Woolworths

One device detonated and another causes fire

Police are probing two cases of arson after dual attacks on Woolworths stores in the Gateway and Pavilion Malls in Durban yesterday.

An “incendiary device” was planted in Woolworths in Gateway which caused a fire and prompted an evacuation of the shop.

Another device had been planted in Woolworths in Pavilion‚ which had been detonated overnight.

The device at the Gateway store‚ understood to have been fashioned from a cellphone and propellant‚ had been planted in a pocket of a jacket hanging on a clothing rack.

The device was then triggered, which caused a fire that was extinguished by internal sprinkler systems.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said the fire at the Pavilion was reported in the early hours of the morning.

“When the police arrived at the scene‚ they investigated and found a device which looks like a cellphone. It was taken away by the explosive unit for further investigation‚” he said.

“Another complaint was received at Gateway Mall where the Woolworths was on fire. Police investigated again and found something like a torch with a cellphone attached to it.”

Zwane said he could not confirm whether the incidents were related.

Two cases of arson are being investigation.

Gateway Mall confirmed in a statement yesterday that a “device” was found at the mall.

“Gateway confirms that an incendiary device was found in a store.

“Authorities as well as the centre operations team were immediately called in to assist with the matter.

“As a precautionary measure the store was evacuated as the safety of our shoppers and staff is of utmost importance to Gateway. The mall is trading as normal‚” the statement read.

Woolworths and the Pavilion management had not responded to questions at the time of publishing.