Nick Landzanakis, owner of the Delfi Greek Taverna in Durban embraces Ayakha Godlwana, a chef from Palm Terrace restaurant for his brave act of selflessness. Godlwana successfully rescued Doddy Teranes who was trapped inside the burning building.
Image: Leon Lestrade
The owners of the Delfi Greek Taverna in Durban are now focusing on rebuilding the place after a fire tore through it on Thursday.
The fire started at the back of the Delfi Greek Taverna and spread to the entire building. The restaurant owners have lived upstairs since 1964.
Some of the family members Doddy, Maria, and Manuel Teranes were left with only the clothes on their backs. Nick Landzanakis, one of the owners and a family member, said it began as a landmark EFI supermarket, and the family added a restaurant in the early 2000s.
“They lost clothes and important documents. I remember growing up here and spending time with my family. It was the meeting point for the family, sort of the patriarchal home,” Landzanakis said.
News of the fire spread on social media groups, where Landzanakis grew concerned about scammers using this as an opportunity to raise funds for themselves. Linda Landzanakis reached out to BackaBuddy, where she started a fundraising campaign called Delfi will rise from the ashes!
“A devastating fire on 3 September took away not only the beloved Delfi restaurant, but all their lifelong possessions. Their home of 59 years is gone, along with all the beautiful memories. What was once a landmark called EFI Supermarket became a second landmark: Delfi. It was not only a restaurant. It was a home filled with love, kindness, and warmth. They were left with the clothes on their backs,” Linda wrote on BackaBuddy.
The historic Delfi Greek Taverna in Windermere, Durban, was completely destroyed by a fire on Thursday.
Image: Leon Lestrade
Landzanakis said they were waiting for assessors and other processes to follow before deciding on the next steps to rebuild. Ayakha Godlwana, 32, is a chef at the Palm Terrace Cafe, was regarded as the hero of the day after he rescued Doddy Teranes from her room while the flames were spreading through the house and restaurant.
The eThekwini Municipality said fire services brought the fire under control within approximately 20 minutes. The municipality said three fire engines, a water carrier, a foam carrier and a command vehicle were dispatched immediately.
“Crews arrived on scene and found the building well alight, with the fire having already burnt through the roof. Four hose lines were deployed, and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the structure to fight the blaze at close quarters,” the municipality stated.
The municipality commended the brave men and women of its emergency services for their swift and disciplined response.
“Entering a burning building that has already lost its roof is among the most dangerous work our firefighters do, and the speed of the response limited further spread. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this stage and will be investigated by fire safety officers,” the municipality said.
IOL
Ayakha Godlwana and Doddy Teranes outside the Delfi Greek Taverna in Durban. Godlwana rescued Teranes by entering the burning building and pulling out Teranes.
Image: Zainul Dawood
