Residents of Erima will now have to bear the power of the blazing sun and look elsewhere to punt after the Pacific Racing Betting shop located in the Erimart Shopping Complex, in Port Moresby went up in flames yesterday.
According to eyewitness and staff accounts, the fire happened to be the result of the back-up Genset that was used to provide power, catching fire.
Staff members and punters alike, gathered in front of the punting shop awestruck by the incident.
The St. Johns Ambulance along with a fire engine from the PNG Fire Service were present to lend assistance to the staff and also the punters that escaped the fire and put out the fire before it spread to the rest of the complex.
10 casualties were treated for their injuries, including a male who sustained major lacerations to his face and arms as part of a successful attempt to break the glass on the building to escape.
At the moment there has been no major casualties and according to the management of the punting shop, all staff were asked to return to the safety of their homes until the issue is sorted out.