A 35-year-old man is expected to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Thursday following a fire at Paarl Hospital earlier this week.
Police said the man was arrested after the fire broke out on Tuesday, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff. Paarl detectives are investigating the incident as a case of arson.
Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the arrest.
“Paarl detectives are investigating a case of arson following a fire at a hospital in Paarl. A 35-year-old male suspect was arrested for questioning and later detained,” Gwala said.
She added that the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.
The fire affected a small section of the hospital and was quickly brought under control. Smoke from the blaze prompted the full evacuation of patients as a precaution. No injuries were reported.
Some clinical areas were temporarily closed, with the Outpatient Department sustaining significant damage. Maternity patients were relocated to other facilities.
West Coast District Health spokesperson Leensie Lötter said all patients have since been safely returned.
“All patients who were evacuated have been returned to their wards safely,” Lötter said.
Photo: Supplied/ Drakenstein Municipality
