Every year during the dry winter communities experience the severe impact of uncontrolled fires. Veld fires spread quickly, destroy farms and crops and even result in loss of life.
On Monday afternoon, May 30 a veld fire was reported behind the houses on Soutpans Avenue, Quellerina.
Beagle Watch Dedicated Area Specialist, Leon van Zyl, spotted and reported the fire.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2021/05/24/congregation-evacuated-due-to-fire/
Minutes later, while responding to the report, Beagle Watch Area Manager Cobus Botes apprehended the suspected arsonist.
“The suspect is a repeat offender who has already been booked a couple of times for setting fire to the koppie, and in the current dry conditions this is very dangerous,” said Cobus.
According to the armed response company’s incident report, the suspect was taken to Fairland Police Station and handed over to Warrant Officer Steyn for questioning.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi told the Record that they have noted with much concern the number of lives and property lost due to domestic fires during winter.
“These fires have led to unnecessary deaths and loss of property, leaving communities in a vulnerable state,” said Mulaudzi.
Last winter CoJ EMS responded to about 445 fire incidents within the City of Johannesburg, mostly at informal settlements.
Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/roodepoort-record/2021/08/10/seven-shacks-burn-to-the-ground/
“We are happy to announce that not a single life was lost during those fire incidents. Even though there was a reduction in terms of the number of fires throughout the City of Johannesburg we cannot celebrate until we have zero incidents,” said Mulaudzi.
