COCT probing whether high number of fires in metro the work of arsonists

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town said that an unprecedented number of fires in the Peninsula had spurred an investigation to establish whether arsonists are at play.

City Mayco member for safety on security, JP Smith, said Enviro Wildfire Services would spearhead the probe after the fire and rescue department battled three different fires at various locations throughout the night on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, firefighters responded to a fire at Steenbras Dam in Gordon's Bay.

Later during the course of the evening, firefighters had to be despatched to a fire in Slangkop and then shortly before midnight, another call was received for a fire at Redhill in Simon's Town.

Smith said firefighters became suspicious after seeing a vehicle hurriedly leaving the scene.

"We've been saying for weeks now that many of these fires, the location is places where people would not be present, where we don't see homeless activity, so there's nobody making a fire there, so it doesn't make sense unless somebody went there and purposefully started a fire there."

He said Enviro Wildfire Services would now be preparing a report to establish the likelihood of arson.