Fires still rampant in Southern and Eastern Cape

Devastating veld fires were still rampant in large areas of the Eastern and Southern Cape last night, and it is reported that a farm worker burnt to death when he was trapped in a fire near Jeffrey’s Bay. Firefighters were battling to get to all the fires, which have already destroyed several buildings – including houses - and about 15-thousand hectares of forestry. Working on Fire spokesperson Val Charlton said in the Witfontein area near George, teams had doused 20 fires in one day. However, at least 15 fires were burning out of control in the Southern and Western Cape yesterday. Several people had to be evacuated near the Van Stadens River Bridge. Meanwhile the N2 highway, which was closed to traffic earlier yesterday, had been reopened.