A man has been arrested and will appear in court today in connection with a suspected arson attack that forced the full evacuation of Paarl Hospital on Tuesday, reports IOL.
Western Cape police confirmed the 35-year-old was arrested shortly after the blaze, which broke out at around 11am on Tuesday, was contained.
Initial indications were that a vehicle parked next to the building had caught alight, with the flames spreading to the hospital structure, though this will now form part of the police investigation.
Smoke necessitated a full evacuation of the facility as a precautionary measure, with patients being safely moved, and no injuries reported. The department said the phased reopening of clinical areas is under way as sections of the hospital are assessed and declared safe.
The Outpatient Department suffered extensive damage, while maternity patients were moved to other healthcare facilities.
Western Cape MEC of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger commended staff and emergency services for their swift response.
Councillor Stephen Korabie, executive mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, said it had appeared, at first, as though an electrical cooling unit had caught fire and started the blaze, but an assessment is under way to determine the cause as well as the full extent of the damage.
IOL article – Fire at Paarl Hospital contained, no injuries reported (Open access)
IOL article – JUST IN: Paarl Hospital fire turns criminal: Arson susppect arrested after evacuation
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
No injuries in Bloemfontein hospital fire
No casualties after fires at two hospitals, in two provinces
Western Cape hospital fire under investigation