TimesLive reports that a huge fire at the Denny Mushrooms plant in Shongweni in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday was the second suspected case of arson in two weeks.

Ethekwini fire divisional commander Dennis Govender said on Monday that the first fire, which had been “something small”, had occurred a week ago and arson was suspected. Shortly after 5pm on Friday, firefighters were again called out to the facility. “When we got there, the fire had spread from the offices to the warehouse. We saved about 60% of the warehouse by extinguishing the blaze but there would be smoke damage,” Govender advised. He said arson was again suspected. A case of malicious damage to property has been opened at the Marianhill police station for investigation. Rumours circulating on social media alleged that disgruntled workers set the plant on fire after the company offered a 7% wage increase as opposed to their 8% demand. Libstar, which owns Denny, confirmed that it was working with the authorities to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the fire, but it did not address questions about social media reports of a labour dispute over wages at the site.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nivashni Nair at BusinessLive
• Read too, Fire hits Denny Mushrooms farm, arson claim investigated, at Fin24

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