Cigarette end 'started Cape fire'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7115108.stm

Cigarette end 'started Cape fire'

More than 150 firefighters tackled the blaze
A fire in South Africa that killed a British tourist was caused by
another Briton flicking a burning cigarette on to dry grass, a court
has heard.

Anthony Cooper, 37, from Brighton, East Sussex, has denied starting
the fire in which Janet Chesworth, 65, of Sedgley, West Midlands, died
in January 2006.

Taxi driver Craig Ward told Cape Town Regional Court he was parked at
the foot of Table Mountain at the time.

He said a flame began "within seconds" of the cigarette being
discarded.

Smoke inhalation

"He threw his leftover cigarette on to the dry grass and within
seconds a flame started due to the condition of the grass and strong
winds," Mr Ward said.

Mrs Chesworth had been hiking with her daughter at the time of the
fire, and died of smoke inhalation.

More than 150 firefighters together with water-carrying helicopters
struggled to bring the blaze under control.

Mr Cooper is accused of arson and culpable homicide.

The trial continues.