A man has been taken to hospital after catching fire during alleged cable theft.
ER24 paramedics responded to a call just after 12 pm on 16 September after a man sustained injuries after catching alight. It is alleged that the man, with another suspect, had broken into the mini substation on the property of the Westdene Recreational Centre. According to Dauw Steyn, an eyewitness and Westdene resident, the man had all of his clothes burnt off him and sustained serious burns. He said the other suspect ran away once the man caught fire after a minor explosion resulting from attempted cable theft.
Luckily for the man, there was an e-hailing taxi ride driver parked by the park who used his fire extinguisher to help the man. Immediately after the man caught fire parts of Westdene lost power, including Eeufees Oord Old Age Home.
City Power is currently on the scene trying to restore power to the neighbourhood. The man was transported to Helen Joseph’s Hospital for further treatment. He will be under police guard until he makes improvements in his condition and a case is opened against him.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/northcliff-melville-times/233232/illegal-connections-and-cable-theft-cost-city-power-over-r1-billion-3/
