Three dead in Knysna fire
Three people have died in a fire which is raging near Rheenendal in Knysna.
The Eden District Municipality has confirmed a farm worker, his wife and their son died in the fire on Wednesday.
Residents near Belvedere have started to evacuate their homes.
Knysna fire chief Clinton Manuel says the fire is spreading and is now threatening Belvedere.
The municipality has requested further assistance to get aerial support by means of an Oryx helicopter.
Police spokesperson Malcom Pojie says: “An inquest docket has been opened after three bodies were discovered following a fire.”
The fire is being fanned by strong winds.
He was unable to confirm whether the Cape Storm was to blame.
"At this stage I cannot confirm that. However, the strong winds emanate from the storm,” Pojie says.
Eight people have been confirmed dead following the storm which continues to batter the Western Cape.
#KnysnaFire continues to burn, fanned by strong winds ahead of cold front slowly making way up southern https://t.co/mDguMDxqU6: Koos Britz pic.twitter.com/3gkT0KGq4M
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) June 7, 2017
#SouthernCapeFire #Wildfires. @MerakaAFIS satellite scans capture footprints of the fires around @KnysnaMuni @george_mun. @SouthernCapeFPA pic.twitter.com/p56v5ysfce
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) June 7, 2017
Smoke from the raging fire between Plett & Knysna (Pics taken by my mom from the Brenton coast's side kilometers away)#capestorms @eNCA pic.twitter.com/Hbrxz0Wv62
— Daniëlla van Heerden (@DanniTwiet) June 7, 2017