Richly House, one of Gqeberha’s most iconic and historic buildings has burnt to the ground, but authorities have yet to determine how the blaze started.
The fire, which broke out around 7am on Tuesday, March 11, destroyed the pub and club that had been renting the three-storey red-brick building.
Police spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge confirmed that no one was injured or killed in the fire that started before business hours but was extinguished by metro firefighters.
“No cases were opened by SAPS Mount Road,” he said, adding that the cause is yet to be determined.
On social media, some speculated that it related to solar panels installed on the roof of the building, but this has to be established by authorities.
However, the damage to the building has left the community deeply saddened, with residents and local businesses mourning the loss of a cherished landmark that stood as a testament to Gqeberha’s early development history.
One of the first people to express dismay and sadness over the loss was Mark Rose-Christie, owner of SA’s Mystery Ghost Tours, who has taken guests on tours of the building, believed to be haunted.
"I'm devastated by the loss of this iconic historic building. Not only is it a massive loss for the city and its history, but it will also be sorely missed regarding the city's version of SA's Mystery Ghost Tours.
"It’s a massive loss for the city’s history, and we’ll be asking heritage authorities to explore if any parts of the building can be salvaged," he said.
Democratic Alliance (DA) ward councillor Terri Stander, wrote in a Facebook page: "This also highlights the importance of ensuring that the electrical infrastructure in heritage properties is up to code and properly maintained."
Richly House was originally built in 1906 as a private residence, it was later converted into the Langford General Nursing and Maternity Home in 1928. After serving as a hospital, it became the Langford Lodge boarding house in 1940. During the 1960s, the building fell into disrepair and was eventually turned into a World War II brothel.
Its later years saw it transformed into a popular pub and restaurant known as Richly House. The building gained fame for its connection to local ghost stories. Operators of ghost tours often share accounts of eerie experiences.
The building became infamous for ghost stories, with reports of haunting apparitions, including a grumpy old man storming through the dining room. These eerie events contributed to its reputation as a site for local ghost tours including the sound of a baby crying, an echo through the halls, a haunting reminder of its past.
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