(a)that fire is likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person;
Section history
Section 285 — Causing or contributing to risk of dangerous fire
As in force on 30 December 2025.
Timeline 4 versions
- 30 March 1987 Enacted
- 1 February 2008 Act 51 of 2007
- 1 January 2020 Act 15 of 2019
- 30 December 2025 You are here
- 17 August 2026 Latest
(1)Whoever, with any fire or any thing that is likely to cause fire, rashly or negligently causes or substantially contributes to the risk of causing a fire, shall be guilty of an offence if such fire occurs and any of the following applies:
(b)that fire endangers human life;
(c)that fire causes damage to or diminishes the value or utility of any property belonging to any other person or the Government;
(d)that fire causes hurt or injury to any other person;
(e)that fire causes grievous hurt to any other person;
(f)that fire causes death to any other person.
(2)Any person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall on conviction be punished —
(a)in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(a) or (b), with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to $5,000, or with both;
(b)in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(c), with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 18 months, or with fine, or with both;
(c)in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(d), with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 years, or with fine, or with both;
(d)in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(e), with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 years, or with fine, or with both; and
(e)in the case of an offence under subsection (1)(f), with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 7 years, or with fine, or with both.