A Day in the Life of the University of Pretoria. 16 September 1975

At 16:00 on this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria” a fire broke out on the top floor of the Old Agricultural Building.

Within half an hour the roof of the Old Agricultural Building collapsed. The fire was brought under control by the fire brigade within the hour, but the top section was destroyed. Laboratory and other equipment on the ground floor was also damaged.

The building was designed by J.B. Dey of the Department of Public Works in 1917 and completed in 1921 after the end of the First World War. A relief panel on the gable depicts mythological figures and beautifully carved wooden fanlights adorn the main entrance. The building was fully restored after the 1975 fire and today houses the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences.

The University of Pretoria Archives (UPA) preserves the history of the University of Pretoria. The UPA has an extensive photo collection and clipping collection. Please contact us on [email protected] to share your memories of Tukkies or to access our collection.