Are Knysna fires the result of arson? Simultaneous fires starting at the same time "raises a big red flag" and suggests "deliberate agency"‚ says forensic investigator David Klatzow. On Tuesday‚ it was reported that fire fighters were battling 26 separate fires in the Knysna area. Klatzow said an investigation was needed whenever there were multiple fires simultaneously. However, when asked for comment about the cause of the fires‚ James-Brent Styan — spokesman for the MEC of Local Government‚ Environmental Affairs and Development Planning — said it is unlikely the cause of the fires will ever be known, and said arson is not suspected or being investigated. More than 10‚000 people have now been evacuated from various Knysna suburbs and 150 homes destroyed by flames fanned by heavy winds. "It is unusual for fires to start simultaneously‚" said Klatzow‚ one of the leading fire investigators in the country, adding that "hard questions needed to be asked". "When you start an investigati...
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