An unfortunate incident struck Cresta Marang Hotel in Francistown recently, as a freak fire engulfed the hotel’s casino in the early hours of Saturday morning. The blaze, which reportedly began around 2:00 AM, spread rapidly through the casino’s thatched roof, causing significant damage to the structure.
The cause of the fire remains a mystery, with authorities still awaiting a report from the fire department. Lorato Tebogo, Head of Marketing and Communication at Cresta Marang, spoke to The Voice, confirming, “We are still waiting for the fire department to give us a report on what could have caused the fire. For now, we do not know!”
Despite the alarming nature of the fire, Tebogo reassured the public that the flames were contained to the casino building. Fortunately, the rest of the hotel, including the nearby restaurant, reception, and conference room, all of which are also thatched, were unaffected.
“Our team, along with local emergency services, responded promptly to control the situation. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff remain our top priority, and we are relieved to confirm that there were no injuries,” Tebogo added.
The timing of the fire has raised speculation, as a heavy storm had hit Francistown on Saturday night. Although the fire broke out after the rain had stopped, many believe lightning could have caused the blaze.
The incident has left many questioning the safety of thatched roofs, and Cresta Marang Hotel will likely review its fire prevention and safety measures as part of the recovery process.
