A George man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to the house he was renting after being told to move out. A body was found in the rubble.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Chris Spies said emergency personnel were called to the corner of Palgrave and Meade streets at about 5.30am on Monday.
He said a search of the scene turned up a body under the debris.
The 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene on an arson charge.
He sat on the pavement outside the house as police worked the scene.
Spies said an arson and inquest docket had been opened.
“Crime scene experts combed the scene for clues,” he said.
He said an imitation firearm had been seized at the scene.
Spies said the identity of the dead person had not yet been established and that the man would appear in court once charged.
“Investigation into this matter continues and more charges could be added as the investigation unfolds,” he said.
The man was facing eviction from the property, IOL understands.
A neighbour, Gretha Blignaut, said she was woken by a loud noise at about 5am and went to look.
“When I went to look, it was the house across from us that was on fire,” she said.
“There was a lot of smoke.”
Blignaut said the tenants were a mother and son who kept to themselves.
“It’s a hell of a shock,” she said.
“The mother and son were so withdrawn, very quiet.”
She said she had heard cracking sounds during the fire.
“I heard clapping sounds, almost like a shot being fired, but they say it must have been the roof tiles bursting from the heat and the windows breaking,” she said.
The landlord confirmed the fire but would not be drawn on the circumstances.
“Unfortunately I can’t comment any further at this stage other than there was a fire and there is extensive damage,” he said.
Ward councillor Sean Snyman said he had been shaken by the news.
“I was shocked to learn about the incident in my community,” he told IOL.
“We will wait for the law to take its course and will not speculate at this time.”
Spies said the investigation was under way.
