The man accused of starting a devastating blaze that ripped through the Overstrand area in the Western Cape last week, is expected to appear in the Caledon Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The 34-year-old is facing a charge of contravention of the Nature Conservation Act.

The fires have affected areas close to Betty’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Hangklip and Rooi Els.

One person has been reported dead.

It is unclear if a murder charge will be added on the charge sheet, should police forensics find that the deceased had died as a result of the fire.

On Thursday, police spokesperson Captain Harold Nqwenani told News24 that there were witnesses to the alleged contravention.

“We’ve got witnesses also. We locked the suspect at Kleinmond police station”.

It is understood that a flare had been set off in Betty’s Bay on New Year’s Day, leading to a fire in the mountains.

(Source: News24)