Overstrand Municipality suspect arson in latest fire

Authorities in the Overstrand Municipality are investigating a new fire near Stanford, with officials saying there are strong indications it was deliberately started.

Mop-up operations have commenced in most parts of the municipality, where 40,000 hectares have burned between Stanford and Pearly Beach since January 4.

Exhausted fire crew welcomed a day of reprieve on Monday, thanks to a low amount of incidents before a fire broke out late afternoon near county fair, close to a low-cost housing development.

Municipal officials say preliminary information suggests the blaze did not start naturally, raising concerns of possible arson.

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In response, the municipality has announced a R10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and successful prosecution of those responsible. The same reward remains in place for a Mount Pleasant fire at Rotary Way in Hermanus, which occurred over the weekend.

Officials have stressed that deliberately starting fires is a serious criminal offence, particularly as firefighting crews continue to respond to multiple incidents across the municipality.

Residents with information are encouraged to contact the fire and rescue 24-hour emergency control room or submit tips via the citizen application, where information can be provided anonymously.

Authorities estimate the cost of firefighting operations across the municipality to be between R6 and 7 million.

Mop-up operations, which have now commenced, are expected to continue for the next 48 hours, but crews remain on site for possible flare-ups.