A homeless man has admitted to starting a devastating mountain fire that has raged for two days after being caught by Law Enforcement on Sunday.
Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said it was not clear if there was a link between the arrest and the original fire which started at the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant earlier on Sunday but the matter is still under investigation.
“What he did admit to was starting a fire which he was found doing. Whether he was one of the three people seen by residents is unclear at this stage.
“He is in his 30s and when asked for his address he said: ‘I sleep in the bush’.”
On Sunday, Table Mountain National Parks said it appeared the restaurant fire was started by an unattended vagrant fire.
Smith said the 35-year-old suspect was caught as flames ripped through several historic buildings, including Mostert’s Mill, the Rhodes Tea Room, and a library at UCT, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of students and residents living along the mountain slopes over the past two days.
Smith says as nearly 250 firefighters were attending the blaze which broke out at about 9am on Sunday, they received calls about three men in the vicinity of Vredehoek who were spotted making fires along the mountain.
“We suddenly started getting a flood of calls that said the community saw people walking through the bush starting fires as they go,” he said on Monday.
“When one of the Law Enforcement officers who arrived found that person and asked if he had started the fire, he said he did.
“The person was arrested and is in the custody of SAPS and an arson case has been opened against this person.”
Police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut says a court appearance for the suspect has not been scheduled as yet.
Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said yesterday morning residents of Vredehoek and Zonnebloem evacuated their homes as a precautionary measure.
“We also liaised with the Department of Education and the decision was made to evacuate all the schools in Zonnebloem and Vredehoek,” she said.
The Western Cape Education Department said 16 schools in the vicinity were allowed to send learners home due to fears of smoke inhalation and respiratory problems.
Meanwhile, the University of Cape Town was put on lockdown with only emergency services allowed on site as all classes were suspended yesterday and today.
UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said 4000 students were evacuated.
She said shocked students and staff felt disorientated watching the destruction unfold.
“We all share a deep sense of grief for what we have lost. We join our colleagues at UCT Libraries, and academics around the world, in lamenting the destruction of the Jagger Library Reading Room and the priceless collections that were stored in the archives.
“Other UCT buildings across Rondebosch and Rosebank have been damaged. We are assessing the damage and will provide further updates as we are able.”
Meanwhile, Premier Alan Winde said SANDF’s Oryx helicopters – which are able to carry more water – will be used to waterbomb the fire.
“As soon as the weather permits, the air force will be in the air. The Oryx can carry a water payload of 2000 litres per drop,” he said.