KNYSNA NEWS - A Queen Street resident was trying to calm her obviously distressed dog in the early hours of Monday, October 24 when she became aware of flames leaping from the Knysna Recycling Plant.

"When my dog woke me with his incessant barking, I couldn’t see or smell any fire or smoke. He must have been able to sense trouble, long before it was evident to us," explained the resident.

The police were the first on the scene, followed shortly by members of the Knysna Fire Department, which ironically, neighbours the burning premises.

According to Knysna acting municipal manager, Lauren Waring, the fire was brought to the attention of the Knysna Fire Station’s control room at 01:05. "The fire crew was activated within minutes and 13 officials attended to the blaze," she said.
She explained that the fire appeared to have been started by vagrants in the north-east corner of the building and this caused the recyclable material to ignite.

"The material at the top of the blaze was easily extinguished, but front-end loaders had to be used to remove the rubble at the bottom of the storage area."

According to Waring the area was declared safe at 12:30 on Monday afternoon.

"Two vagrants have been arrested and the South African Police Service has opened a case of arson," she concluded.
Constable Chris Spies, Knysna SAPS liaison officer explained that two people were in fact questioned about the fire, but no arrests had yet been made.

"A case of arson is being investigated by the Knysna Detective Branch following the incident," he said.
Any member of the public with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigation officer, Warrant Officer Mark Rein on 044 302 6652.


Members of the Knysna Fire Station were busy at the Knysna Recycling Plant from early Monday morning, October 24.

ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST