Five die and 10,000 flee as fires rage in S Africa

At least five people, including two children, were killed while up to 10,000 others fled their homes as fires ravaged a South African coastal town.

The fire, which started in the town of Kynsna on the south coast about 300 miles east of Cape Town, spread rapidly, after being fuelled by gale force winds. The powerful wind prevented helicopters from waterbombing the fires, while communication with the area was cut after telephone lines and electricity poles burned down in the blaze on Wednesday night.