Arson ruled out in Capitec blaze

MALALANE – The possibility of arson causing the fire at Malalane Capitec Bank has been temporarily ruled out, according to the forensic fire expert’s examination and report.

An inquiry has been opened by the local police to establish the cause of the fire.

On Saturday evening Corridor Gazette was informed that the Standard Bank premises at the Inkwazi Shopping Centre were on fire. Upon arrival at the scene, this paper established that it was Capitec Bank offices which were on fire, but the blaze had already been contained by other business owners and the municipal fire brigade.

However, according to a reliable source the cash deposit counter was where the V-pattern was found. The V-pattern in fire investigation is the area of greatest damage and the lowest point of burning, and is generally believed to be the area of origin.

There where no injuries reported and, according to the spokesman for the local police, Sgt Bheki Nkosi, there is no evidence of any accelerant which could have been used to start the fire.

He said, “When forensic fire investigators start work on a burnt location, they look for any sign of accelerant such as petrol, paraffin, or anything else that can be used to flame a fire. There was no such material evidence found on the scene.”

Corridor Gazette ascertained from a reliable source that an electrical short-circuit caused by an overloading of multi-plugs could have started the fire.

“However, until the investigation is concluded, the cause remains unknown,” Nkosi explained.

Capitec Bank employees were not interested in speaking to the media, and directed any questions to their head office. The branch is currently partially operational.