As I ignited the gas torch in my left hand, it crackled. The hose exploded down its length, a blast followed as the oxy-acetylene gas mixture blew the cylinder through a concrete wall. Windows exploded out across the main street. We were tumbling down the stairwell. One blast after another, we watched from below as our workshop ripped itself apart. The entire top floor of the building was ablaze. Years of constant work were now on fire, fuelled by the gas pipe from under the main street in the heart of the city. In the surrounding streets chaos ensued…this was the 1980’s, and South Africa was experiencing regular terrorist bomb blasts. The country was on edge. Police and bomb squads were on the scene. The city centre was quickly cordoned off, with sniffer dogs searching for more possible bombs. Still the fire raged on, threatening the entire structure of the building. Firefighters were battling to extinguish a blaze that now had a constant fuel supply. Finally the main gas supply was located and turned off. My jewellery workshop, which I had just invested borrowed money into, was now destroyed. This was my life and soul blown up in flames. My only form of income was in a pile of ash.
I sat on the pavement and wept. The workshop, with all its specialized tools and equipment that I treasured, was now a smoldering shell. On the ground floor an art shop with special brushes, papers and canvases was the victim of water and smoke damage, the owner hysterical for weeks to come.
Days later we entered the dark, wet sarcophagus. Cleaning up would continue for months. Long days were spent with goldsmiths carrying buckets of rubble downstairs. The insurance company refused to pay, eventually settling with a cheque for one tenth of my costs.
My only option was to start again. I had staff to pay, debt, and the challenge of minimal equipment. Day by day we slowly climbed back from where we had fallen. Not only did we recover, but went on to purchase our own building, which was to be the permanent premises for Aztec Gold Jewellers. We would go on to supply diamonds and the finest jewellery to clients from all over the world. Years later I would look back upon that day as yet another one of life’s hurdles.
When faced by a brick wall, break it down and walk through, you never know what lies on the other side.
Sean
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