Fire in St Francis: arson suspected

A Kouga Municipality has opened a case of arson as fire fighting teams continue to battle a blaze in the St Francis Bay area.

Port Elizabeth – Fire fighting teams were on Monday morning still battling a blaze focused on the Cape St Francis area in the Eastern Cape.

A veld fire broke out on Saturday between the luxury holiday towns of St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis.

The Kouga Municipality has since opened a case of arson.

The fire, which started in the reserve near Sea Vista township, reportedly started after a flare landed on a piece of land.

On Sunday evening residents were requested to evacuate their homes and gather near the beachfront and lighthouse.

Kouga Municipality spokesperson Laura-Leigh Randall told ANA that the situation seems less dire than it was on Sunday night and fire fighter teams were focusing on the Cape St Francis area fighting the blaze between the houses.

Randall said the metro fire department and working for fire have sent teams to assist while teams from Plettenberg Bay were also on route.

Randall said two helicopters were currently in the air assisting in putting out the fires.

African News Agency