SANParks staff die in Harkerville forest chalet blaze

Three people died in a fire that engulfed a SANParks tree-top chalet ‘getaway’ in the Harkerville forest near Plettenberg Bay last Thursday.

Two of the deceased were SANParks employees, apparently on a visit to the Knysna section of the Garden Route National Park.

Sergeant Christopher Spies, police media liaison officer: Southern Cape Media Centre, says the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three victims ‘is the subject of an ongoing police probe’.

He was responding to a media enquiry from the Knysna-Plett Herald.

“Reports at our disposal suggest that police were dispatched to a scene at about 07:00, where a chalet had burnt down.

“On arrival, they found three bodies under the debris with severe burn injuries. The victims were declared deceased by medical personnel on the scene.”

Spies says an inquest docket was opened for further investigation.

The cause of the fire has yet to be established, and it forms part of the ongoing police probe.

“A preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased booked in at the facility the previous night. A process to identify the deceased is underway. The investigation into this matter continues,” says Spies.

The Harkerville Forest Chalet is described by SANParks on its web page as ‘a getaway in the tree-tops’.

“The chalet is spacious, has two bedrooms with bathrooms en suite and is superbly appointed. It is the ideal place to enjoy the peace of the forest.”

Reservations are made through the SANParks Regional Office in Knysna.

SANParks head of communications JP Louw said in a statement released on Tuesday that the fire broke out at the tree-top chalet in the Knysna section of the Garden Route National Park, ‘resulting in the unfortunate passing of three people’.

“The affected chalet was completely gutted. The matter is now under investigation by the SAPS, to determine the cause of the fire and to officially determine the identities of the people who sadly lost their lives.

“Booking records suggest that the persons who were victims of the fire are two SANParks staff and one non-SANParks staff,” said Louw.

“SANParks appeals for sensitivity to allow for official police processes to conclude and for the affected families to have the opportunity to attend to what is a most challenging experience.”

Louw said in an earlier statement to the Knysna-Plett Herald that ‘as is protocol in such instances, the matter gets handed over to SAPS for investigation and determination about the release of details’.

“It is not different from any other instance when lives are lost, such as on the roads, or a suicide or accident at work. This means it would be immensely inappropriate for SANParks to respond in detail about this tragic incident,” said Louw.

“While SANParks has been supporting affected families and staff, we unfortunately cannot release any further details until the SAPS concludes its processes and advises us on the next steps.

“At that point, SANParks will determine its next course of action/s which might include a public statement.”