More than thirteen homes were destroyed in a sudden fire that broke out in the St Francis Bay area on Thursday afternoon. Strong winds fanned the flames and it spread quickly through the residential area. After a long night of battling the blaze, the fires have finally been extinguished.
“Several houses are burning in the vicinity of Lyme Road North, St Francis Bay. Kouga firefighters, other emergency staff and the St Francis Disaster Volunteer Group are on the scene, as well as a helicopter that has arrived from PE to dump water on the fire and help bring it under control,” the Kouga Municipality said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the St Francis Chronicle, two helicopters were deployed while 85 firefighters fought the fire at ground-level.
The community and members of organisations such as the NSRI in St Francis Bay doused homes with thatched roofs in water which were in danger of catching alight. The Super Spar in the area also donated water and supplies to firefighters.
Picture: Chris Scott Photography