Paarl Hospital fire turns criminal as arson suspect arrested
Police have arrested a suspect linked to a fire that forced the full evacuation of Paarl Hospital on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, plunging the facility into chaos and raising serious questions about the blaze’s motive.
According to Western Cape police, the blaze erupted around 11:00, 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, the Weekend Argus reported.
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. According to the Weekend Argus, patients were relocated safely to ensure their well-being, and thankfully, 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.
“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,” Wenger remarked, highlighting the efforts taken to manage the crisis.
As police continue their investigation into the alleged arson, health authorities are already working diligently to assess and restore the affected services at the hospital. The phased reopening of currently impacted clinical areas is already underway, as officials strive to return operations to normal as soon as it is safe to do so.
IOL News