Cape of Flames

Attractive reward mooted for information on ‘arson’ spree

PANIC continued to spread through the Helderberg area where firefighters have been in a race against time to contain the stubborn blaze which is still raging in the mountains. Cape Town Fire and Rescue said yesterday ground and aerial support crews were dispatched to the area and have been working tirelessly to stop the fire from spreading toward the nature reserve and Erinvale, which is situated at the foot of the mountain and is surrounded by the Lourensford and Vergelegen wine estates.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith has described the devastating blaze as twice as destructive as the Southern Peninsula fire two years ago which destroyed 3 000 hectares of Garden Route National Park property.

Smith said an investigation into who sparked the Helderberg fires has intensified.

“We have an investigating team within our Special Investigating Unit that is working with police in investigating various bits of evidence that have come forward from witnesses and members of the public, looking at the source of the fire in Grabouw and looking at the two fires started on this side.”

He added: “I am willing to offer a reward – we have not cleared it yet with the mayor (Patricia de Lille) – but I am confident she will be able to put up an attractive reward…”

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen, who – by means of a helicopter ride – was given a bird’s-eye view of the destruction, said he would urgently engage the Justice Department to introduce extra punitive measures to combat arson. –

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW: The aftermath of the fires that have ravaged Somerset West over the past few weeks.

PICTURES: JUSTIN SULLIVAN UP IN FLAMES: Above and top, a blaze which started in the Du Toitskloof mountains in Paarl has already ripped through about 250 hectares of land, destroying some cottages along the way.