Man arrested for allegedly starting Betty’s Bay fire

The 34-year-old man allegedly let off a flare that started the devastating blaze.

The devastating Betty’s Bay fire. Image: Twitter/@nataliemalgas

A 34-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the devastating Betty’s Bay fires in the Western Cape, reports eNCA.

It is believed the man started the fire after allegedly let off a flare on New Years Eve, which landed in the Kogelberg nature reserve, setting off a devastating fire that damaged over 250 hectares, according to OFM News.

One person was killed and two were seriously injured in the Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay blaze on Thursday.

ALSO READ: One killed‚ two injured in Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay fires

Firefighters in the Western Cape were battling veld and mountain fires between Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay on Thursday morning, and residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure. The province’s traffic chief Kenny Africa said the R44 between Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay was closed indefinitely.

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