Arson suspected in Cape Town fire

Arson is suspected in a fire which damaged a house in Philippi, a Cape Town official said on Sunday.

The fire affected a low-cost house in Roos Street around 8.30pm on Saturday, said disaster risk management centre head Wilfred Solomons-Johannes. "Firefighters arrived to find that the dwelling was already extinguished by a member of the public with a garden hose," he said.

Damage to the house was estimated to be around R40,000. The city's fire and rescue services were investigating a case of arson. The affected family was given food, blankets and clothing.