'Negligence in KZN fire'
2008-09-04 12:23
Durban - Firefighting authorities apparently have "credible" evidence corroborating claims that the fires which devastated parts of KwaZulu-Natal were caused by negligence, the Mercury newspaper reported on Thursday.
Fire operations manager Simon Thomas said his organisation had taken photographs showing a farm where one fire started, crossed a common boundary and went through a neighbouring farm.
"We didn't use fancy technology, they're just pictures from a spotter airplane showing clearly where the fire started and crossed the common boundary."
The pictures were handed to police and Thomas said they were investigating further.
The fire tore through the northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal during the weekend. At the latest count 34 people were confirmed dead and dozens more injured.
Sapa reported that the province's Agriculture MEC Mtholephi Mthimkhulu vowed to "get to the bottom" of allegations that the fires were linked to land claims.
- SAPA