Officials say Knysna fire was man-made

That is according to Knsyna Fire Chief, Clinton Manual, who on Monday presented the findings of a “scientific investigation” into the cause of the fire.

“Looking at the evidence scientifically, evidence points to the origin of the fire as being on a clearing site in Elandskraal. Specific patterns of the burn scars on a farm, shows a definite V pattern that indicates with a high degree of certainty that this was the site where the fire started,” Manual says.

“Just below this scar we have found evidence of man-made fire. Evidence further shows that it is this fire that spread due to the weather patterns of 7 June,” he says.

“At this stage, the Act of God lightning strike is dispelled as the evidence clearly shows that the fire was made in this area,” he says.

“We cannot also say that it was arson or that the fire was started deliberately.  That will be up to the SAPS to investigate,” Manual says. 

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Knysna Executive Mayor, Eleanor Bouw-Spies, thanked South Africans for their continued support of Greater Knysna.

“Following the fires, we needed to decide whether we recreate what was there before or if we do things completely differently. We have chosen to respond to the disaster by finding innovative ways of becoming a disaster-wise community,” she says.

“Some of the biggest culprits for the intensity of the fire were Invasive Plant Material. The Knysna Municipality plans to use that exact material to build labour intensive, cost effective fire resistant housing,” says Bouw-Spies.

She added that the fire has left the area with bare slopes that are extremely susceptible to erosion. “We’ve acquired erosion control materials that are made from the fibres of invasive plants and already these geo-textiles are being installed by municipal staff in the erosion hot spots,” she says.

The Office of Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, has set up the Garden Route Rebuild Initiative to support the rebuilding of the region.

Knysna Municipal Manager, Kam Chetty, said preliminary estimates, to address the infrastructure of disaster damage totals R496.3 million for the entire region.

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“Much of this funding must still be raised and applications are being made to various government departments for assistance,” explained Chetty.

Chetty also applauded Manuel for his “very comprehensive report as well as the time in which the report has been compiled.”

He stated further that Manuel had been attending fires investigations since 1993.

“During this time, he was tasked with finding the cause and the origin of fires such as the large Cape Town Fires in Camps Bay, Strandfontein, Lakeside and the Southern Peninsula fires."

Chetty says the investigative report included evidence and opinions of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and several other scientists.