An explosion that was heard across the city late last Thursday night 3 September marked the last blow for a Grahamstown woman and her three children in a week of terror.
An explosion that was heard across the city late last Thursday night 3 September marked the last blow for a Grahamstown woman and her three children in a week of terror.
The first incident was on Tuesday 1 September. Grahamstown Crime Intelligence Officer Captain Milanda Coetzer said police were called after someone set alight the furniture in the woman's O Street house.
"The 39-year-old woman had an altercation with a man known to her after they had spent time together. The man became angry and chased her with a spade in an attempt to assault her.
"Some of the neighbours intervened and the man walked off," said Coetzer.
The woman took her three children and went to stay with a neighbour, Coetzer said.
"After some time, someone came to call the woman informing her that her house was on fire."
Immediately the woman immediately went to investigate and found the inside of her house burnt.
Coetzer said the man ran away and couldn't be traced.
The fire department put out the blaze.
Last Thursday night was the second time the house was set alight, Coezer said.
"On Thursday 3 September the woman was with her three children at another house. She was still scared of the man who had started the fire previously.
"The woman had received a letter from the man in which he threatened to attack her again.
"People in the street started shouting and she heard that her house was on fire again ," said Coetzer.
The police arrived with the municipal fire department.
Coetzer said this time, however, the house was completely destroyed.
Speaking on behalf of the fire department, Makana spokesperson Yoliswa Ramokolo said a gas cannister exploded during the incident.
"The municipal fire fighters quickly arrived at the scene after they were called," Ramokolo said. "The fire was not started by the gas, the gas cannister exploded after catching fire. We are thankful that no one was hurt."
Residents living in nearby areas said they heard the explosion just before midnight on Thursday.
In social media posts, they said it sounded like a bomb going off.
Police are investigating two cases of arson at the O street house.
