Domestic dispute may have sparked fire that left Pinetrees residents homeless
Several homes were destroyed and residents left displaced when a fire swept through the Pinetrees community of Plettenberg Bay last week – YOLANDE STANDER reports
Bitou municipal spokesman Andile Namntu said the municipality’s fire department responded to reports of a fire in the “old transit camp” area of Pinetrees at about 8 pm on Thursday, November 14.
The fire swept through six homes, destroying three and severely damaging another three.
Eight people were left homeless as a result.
Namntu said the cause of the fire was still unknown but that local police were investigating a case of arson as there were reports that the fires had started following a dispute between two local residents.
Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association head of special operations Marius Venter said it was believed that the incident was sparked by an alleged domestic dispute.
Namntu said the municipality’s housing department had intervened and provided the affected residents with temporary shelter, food parcels, and blankets.
“The housing department will also be providing housing materials to the affected families in order for them to rebuild their homes.”
Garden Route Media