THE Pilanesberg International Airport near Sun City, North West caught fire on Tuesday, 29 August.
According to the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management, the fire might have started near the Air Traffic Control Tower at about 12pm.
The security officers at the airport reported smoke but could not detect what was burning.
The department said they realised the smoke was coming from the top of the building close to the Air Traffic Control Tower.
Some airport personnel rushed to the tower and tried to extinguish the fire.
But the flames engulfed the area, and the roof caved in.
The personnel tried to put it out, but the structure was completely gutted.
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The Sun City Fire Services and the Rustenburg Fire Services arrived shortly and did everything they could to extinguish the fire.
MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Sello Lehari, accompanied by the acting head of the department Mpho Maleme, rushed to the terminal and ordered an immediate investigation.
“We would like to leave no stone unturned to ensure we get to the bottom of the cause of the fire,” Lehari said.
Fears are mounting as this might hurt tourism as many visitors use the airport to visit Sun City and other nearby tourist destinations. It is now only used by private charters, not for scheduled flights.
The airport was downgraded to category two after failing to meet some Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) requirements.
