Arson suspected: Fire in basement of iconic St George’s Cathedral

It seems 2022 may well be the year of arson for our country. From the fire at Parliament, to a fire being started inside the basement of the iconic St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town. The fire was first discovered during the early hours of Sunday morning. And the church itself is saying it was clearly an act of arson.

“Arson” leads to St George’s Cathedral fire

In a post on the Cathedral’s official Facebook page, Reverend Michael Weeder explained that the fire broke out shortly after 2AM.

Caretakers for the cathedral arrived after 2AM together with the fire department. The fire was quickly put out. It was discovered that, on first inspection, no notable damage was done other than smoke still visible in the air.

Weeder is adamant that the fire was an act of arson. At the time of the fire being discovered, staff spotted someone running away.

“The Crypt was dense with smoke. The fire was an act of arson. It appears that a lit piece of cotton/gauze was thrown through the small, barred window near the steps leading up to the cathedral’s Wale Street entrance. Someone was spotted running away from the cathedral. The burglar bar had to be broken so that the firefighters could gain access. The Cloister area door also had to be broken open as at one stage the firefighters thought the fire was actually inside the cathedral.”

Rev Michael Weeder

Fast response saves the day

A police docket has since been opened. Weeder has thanked the Cathedral security guard for spotting the fire and the firefighters for their quick response.

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“If there was a slower response there would have been a different picture”.

Last month, parts of the National Assembly were left gutted after a fire was started inside one of its buildings. One man, Zandile Mafe, is behind bars for allegedly starting the fire. Mafe was denied bail this week and faces charges of arson and terrorism.