Knysna fires contained, aid brought in

About 80 % of the fires in both Knysna and Plettenburg are contained.

This is according to Eden District Municipality.

Today, cold weather and fresh human resources are being brought to the affected areas.

Emergency services and firefighters are focusing on mopping-up and operations to help the affected people.

About 3 000 to 4 000 residents are displaced, which means that they currently stay with friends or relatives. Several evacuated areas were declared safe, and people have been moving back to their houses.

Approximately 800 people are still being accommodated in halls.

It has been estimated that 300 structures have burned down, or were damaged in the fire.

Also, the water supply in Knysna is running very low.

Police said they have opened three separate inquest dockets after the fires claimed the lives of five people in three separate incidents.

A 70-year-old woman was reported as missing from her Bergvallei home near Karatara yesterday morning.

She was found unharmed by members of the Tsitsikamma K-9 unit at a friend’s house in Barrington.

A police spokesperson said reinforcements had been deployed to help in the search for possible missing or lost and unaccounted relatives.

Forensic and rescue dogs will also be deployed in these areas.

Police arrested seven suspects in connection with housebreaking and the possession of stolen property, but the police stressed that widespread looting was not happening.

The seven suspects will appear in the Knysna magistrate’s court after they were found in possession of furniture suspected to be taken from one of the destroyed houses. – Caxton News Service