/ 22 May 2013

Fire guts historic Holy Family College hall

Fire Guts Historic Holy Family College Hall

The blaze broke out on the first floor shortly before 9pm on Wednesday and destroyed the building's roof, which crashed into the ground floor.

Johannesburg City fire fighters battled the blaze for over an hour before it was eventually extinguished. The cause is still unknown.

The building was recently renovated and damage is expected to be in region R12-million.

"With its wooden floor and beams the hall never stood a chance against a fire," said Grant Potterton, the school's principal.

"We just finished sprucing the place up and I'm particularly sad about the grand piano worth at least R300 000 that is now destroyed."

Built in 1935, the hall housed the school's trophies and honours' roll.

Detached from other buildings, the school's main campus – built in 1905 – escaped the damage.

"I'm so shocked. We did so much in that building and now it's gone," said Lerato Botha, a former learner. "This is so sad. I can't believe what's happened here."