Knysna Municipality stands by its findings on cause of fires

THE Knysna Municipality stands by its findings that the June fires were manmade, as concluded in its report released last month.

The municipality was responding yesterday to findings by AfriForum, which had refuted the municipality’s claims and initiated its own investigation into the blazes.

The lobby group’s investigation revealed that the fires were caused by a lightning strike.

AfriForum called in the help of forensic investigator David Klatzow, who concluded that the lightning bolt ignited a flame which originated in the Elandskraal area on April 12.

Klatzow’s report contradicted what the municipality had found to be the cause of the fire.

Knysna fire chief Clinton Manuel revealed at a media conference last month that pine cones – often used as kindling – and charred logs were found on private land in the mountainous area where the fire started.

But he could not say whether the fire had been started deliberately.

Knysna municipal manager Kam Chetty yesterday backed up their findings that human activity caused the devastating fires which claimed the lives of seven people and left many homeless.

“The municipal investigation is based on a scientific methodology that included a thorough analysis of aerial and ground evidence and witness accounts.”

Chetty said the municipality’s investigation involved examining burn patterns in the context of changing weather that prevailed during the fire.

Firefighters responded to three fires on June 7 – in Kruisfontein at 3.30am‚ in Lancewood at 4.14am and in Elandskraal at 6.15am.

“Based on the examination of all the evidence, it remains our finding that the fire of June 7 was primarily caused by human activity in the clearing area in Elandskraal,” he said.

He said it was unfortunate that Dr Klatzow’s report was onesided and purported to apportion blame on the Knysna Municipality.

“In coming to our conclusion, our investigation covered a number of probabilities‚ including the possibility of lightning strikes.

“Further, it is of great concern that Dr Klatzow is blaming the Knysna Municipality for the fire,” Chetty said.

Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw Spies said at the media conference last month that the fire disaster had prompted the municipality to change its approach in dealing with future disasters.

But its priority, for now, was stabilising bare slopes and preventing extreme erosion.

Chetty said the municipality’s fire report was not to refute‚ shoulder or assign blame‚ but instead to establish the origin of the fire based on evidence found on the ground.