Algoa FM news
Nelson Mandela Bay Firefighters were called out to the crematorium in Despatch on Thursday where a fire broke out earlier in the afternoon.
The fire was initially brought under control but shortly after 4 pm, the roof caved in as a result of the heat.
The crematorium has been working around the clock as bodies have been piling up due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The manager for the Crematorium Adriaan van Tonder says they currently have 160 bodies in refrigerators waiting to be cremated with more expected in the coming days.
A director for the Crematorium Hannes Marais says they have no other choice but to halt operations until the fire is under control and the damage assessed.
He says they will now make use of their generators to ensure that the refrigerators are permanently on.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage and will be investigated.
All roleplayers are currently on the scene.
The crematorium hopes to resume operations as early as Monday or Tuesday next week.
