Johannesburg’s beloved Zoo Lake Bowls Club has been left in ruins after a fire tore through the century-old landmark in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Residents out on their morning jogs watched in shock as thick black smoke and flames rose from the clubhouse just after 6:00.
Fire Ops SA and the City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) rushed to the scene, where the fire had already ripped through the timber roof in two sections.
More than 25 firefighters worked for hours to contain the blaze, which was intensified by the building’s wooden framework and ongoing renovations.
By 10:00, the fire was under control, though crews and a drone operator remained on site to check for hotspots.
“It spread rapidly, and flames had already broken through the roof by the time we arrived,” said Fire Chief Rudie Swanepoel.
Despite the scale of the inferno, no injuries have been reported. Early indications suggest the fire may have started in the kitchen, though the official cause is still under investigation.
A popular drinking hole for Joburgers
The Zoo Lake Bowls Club, once a hub for lawn bowls and community gatherings, has long been a fixture of Johannesburg’s social scene.
Generations of residents visited the site for friendly matches, Sunday lunches, and a relaxed atmosphere in one of the city’s greenest pockets.
Today, however, only charred beams and a partially collapsed structure remain at this famous drinking hole. For many, the destruction marks more than just the loss of a building.
“It’s a piece of Joburg’s heritage that’s gone up in smoke,” said one onlooker.
More to follow…
