Paarl Hospital arson suspect expected in court
A fire broke out at Paarl Hospital in the Western Cape on Tuesday morning. According to the Western Cape Department of Health, the blaze was quickly contained, and no injuries were reported.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Police have arrested a suspect linked to a fire that forced the evacuation of Paarl Hospital.
According to Western Cape police, the blaze erupted around 11am on Tuesday, leading to urgent action being taken for the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala said a 35-year-old man was taken into custody shortly after the incident and has been charged with arson. He is expected to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Gwala said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing.
Patients were moved to safety after a fire broke out at Paarl Hospital on Tuesday.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Initial assessments by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness indicated that a small section of the hospital was affected.
The Outpatient Department suffered damage with emergency response teams able to contain the fire before it caused further damage.
According to the Weekend Argus, patients were relocated safely, and no injuries were reported. Maternity patients were transferred to other healthcare facilities.
A fire broke out at Paarl Hospital in the Western Cape on Tuesday morning. The blaze was quickly contained, and no injuries were reported.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Health and Wellness MEC Mireille Wenger, praised hospital staff and emergency services for their swift and coordinated response.
“Our immediate priority was the safety of patients, staff and visitors. Thanks to the coordinated response, patients were safely relocated, and no injuries were reported,” Wenger said.
Health authorities were working to assess and restore the affected services at the hospital. The phased reopening of currently impacted clinical areas is underway.
Cape Times