Arson suspect arrested in Paarl Hospital fire

IN AN unexpected turn of events, police have confirmed an arrest of a suspect linked to Tuesday's fire ant Paarl Hospital blaze. 

The fire prompted the full evacuation of the facility, turning a routine health service into a scene of chaos.

According to Western Cape police, the blaze erupted around 11am, leading to urgent action being taken for the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala reported that a 35-year-old man was taken into custody shortly after the incident and has been charged with arson.

He is expected to appear in the Paarl Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 29 January 2026. Gwala has stated that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fire are ongoing, as authorities work to uncover the full story behind this alarming event.

Initial assessments by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness indicated that a small section of the hospital was affected. It appears that a vehicle parked adjacent to the building ignited, with the flames quickly spreading to the hospital structure.

Fortunately, emergency response teams were able to contain the fire before it caused extensive damage, although the Outpatient Department did suffer significant impact.

In light of the smoke engulfing the premises, the department made the critical decision to evacuate the facility entirely. No injuries have been reported. In a proactive move, maternity patients were transferred to other healthcare facilities, ensuring continuity of care during this distressing time.

Western Cape MEC of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, praised both the hospital staff and emergency services for their swift and coordinated response.

She said: “Our immediate priority was the safety of patients, staff and visitors. Thanks to the coordinated response, patients were safely relocated, and no injuries were reported."