Authorities launch investigation into Pointe Au Sel bush fire |02 November 2022

A partial view of the fire at Pointe Au Sel

The Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency and the Seychelles police have started an investigation into a bush fire at Pointe Au Sel, Au Cap which was reported at around 8.40am yesterday before being completely put out at 5.30pm.

According to the information and public relations officer, assistant divisional officer, Terence Arnephy, they initially deployed two fire engines with four fire officers to the scene but had to send an additional eight officers, due to the intensity of the fire, which had gone out of control.

Speaking to local media at around 2.30pm, the officer confirmed the fire was under control and the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) officers had created firebreaks to prevent the blaze from spreading further into the woods.

However, he said they could still observe pockets of fire.

“The fire is under control and we need to maintain the firebreaks and ensure the sparks do not spread further,” he said.

Assistant divisional officer Arnephy added that to ensure the situation remains under control, the SFRSA had also mobilised additional men for any eventualities.

“We presently have the support of the military services and we are awaiting the arrival of forestry officers who will also come to assist,” he said.

For his part, the Minister for Internal Affairs Errol Fonseka, who was at the scene yesterday afternoon, said the SFRSA and the police will launch an investigation into the incident.

Speaking to the media, Mr Fonseka said preliminary observation indicates the bush fire started after a person who had lit a fire in the area lost control of it.

“It shows negligent behaviour of one person who disregarded the dry weather condition and decided to light a fire. Our message to the public is to refrain from lighting outdoor fires at the moment as it could be dangerous,” said Minister Fonseka.

He also thanked the SFRSA for their prompt reaction to prevent a major disaster.

Meanwhile, according to officer Arnephy, the bush fire had been completely put out by 5.30pm.

The SFRSA will give details about the woodland affected at a later date.

In another incident yesterday the police were alerted at around 4.15pm of another fire at the Providence landfill.

Mr Arnephy said they received a phone call at 4.12pm about the fire at the landfill two.  They immediately dispatched one fire tender, one bowser, one small pick-up, one large pick-up.  Fifteen (15) men attended and were joined by 20 more from the Pointe Au Sel fire bringing to 35 the number of men on the scene.

Mr Arnephy added that the fire was completely extinguished.

Patsy Canaya