Eastern Cape: Fire ravages Komani business park causing R80m damage

Police are investigating a case of arson after a fire damaged a business park in Komani, Eastern Cape. 

The damage caused by the fire is estimated to be around R80 million. 

POLICE INVESTIGATING EASTERN CAPE FIRE

The fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning at Bowker Park Business Centre, gutting several warehouses and the police’s supply chain management offices.

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said it is alleged that, at about 03:00, the armed response from a local security company responded to an alarm at the Bowker Park Business Centre, Creamery Road.  

“At the scene, security officers found most warehouses and some offices engulfed in flames and contacted emergency services for assistance,” she said. 

The damaged warehouses held furniture and vehicles amongst other things. 

DA TO WRITE TO EC COGTA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape said that this was  the fifth fire in recent months. 

“The Fire Department cannot operate as they have no working vehicles and no equipment. We will write to the Eastern Cape MEC for COGTA to request funding to upgrade and restore the department.” 

Recently, the historic Komani (Queenstown) Town Hall in the Enoch Mgijima Municipality in the Eastern Cape was also gutted in a fire.

Responding to the incident, Parliament said the poor levels of spending on repairs and maintenance, as well as asset renewal, warrants attention. 

“Inadequate investment in municipal infrastructure and its maintenance will make it difficult for municipalities to recover from disastrous incidents such as the Komani Town Hall fire.”

Parliament

Meanwhile, a fire broke out in the basement of St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town in the early hours of Sunday, 6 February.

Western Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Andre Traut said the police’s investigation into the fire, which broke out in the basement of the Cathedral in Wale Street, led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man.

“Surveillance cameras of a hospitality establishment in the area captured footage of a possible suspect, who was spotted close to the crime scene when detectives conducted their investigation.”

Colonel Andre Traut

Following his court appearance, the 40-year-old was sent for a mental health assessment.

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