NATIONAL NEWS - Gale force winds, fire all over Knysna and a situation that is like something out of a surreal movie, is for real.
Knysna fire chief, Clinton Manuel, just confirmed the worst.
The fires in Knysna are out of control and “there is a slim chance of stopping them.”
Knysna residents from every part of town are taking shelter from the storm near the water and at the Knysna Yacht Club.
Manuel said that the fire is spreading “rapidly due to a fast wind and that people are being evacuated to safe areas within town.”
Areas affected and evacuated, as confirmed by Manuel, are Brenton, Belvidere, Welbedaght, Eastford, Green Pastures and Knysna Heights.
According to Manuel the fire is raging in two directions Knysna, one continuing from Knysna Heights and the other the fire spreading through Belvidere.
From the viewpoint of the Knysna Yacht Club, some of these residents will notice fires on all sides of Knysna, which have now been confirmed as spreading.
Manuel said with the resources available the chances of halting these runaway fires are “very slim.”
In the meantime, at close to 20:00 on Wednesday June 7, the merciless wave of flames is engulfing Belvidere, Brenton-on-Sea, Knysna Heights, and has even jumped over the White Bridge where emergency services were trying to keep it at bay earlier today.
Unconfirmed reports have come in saying Knysna Montessori and Oakhill School have also succumbed to the fire. Knysna-Plett Herald editor Elaine King and journalist Stefan Goosen are safe at the Knysna Yacht Club and will update news of the fire as and when is possible.
Read a statement from Eden District Municipality below:
At 19:15 the Eden DMC received a call from the Acting MM of Knysna indicating that he needs to evacuate the entire town and National resources would be needed.
This was communicated to the PDMC, unfortunately National resources cannot be deployed at this point in time, the activation of the SANDF could take a couple of days.
Knysna has a population of about 77 000 people, they were advised to liaise with the George Municipality to obtain Go George busses to assist with evacuation of the town as soon as access to the Town was possible form the West.
For the interim people is being moved by means of taxi’s and any possible transport to the Loerie Park area in the town.
This was communicated to the PDMC, unfortunately National resources cannot be deployed at this point in time, the activation of the SANDF could take a couple of days.
Knysna has a population of about 77 000 people, they were advised to liaise with the George Municipality to obtain Go George busses to assist with evacuation of the town as soon as access to the Town was possible form the West.
For the interim people is being moved by means of taxi’s and any possible transport to the Loerie Park area in the town.
The areas currently being evacuated include the following:
· Brenton
· Belvedere
· Welbedacht
· Nania
· Eastford
· Green Pastures
· Knysna Heights
The fire has split in two main fronts, one affecting the Knysna Heights and CBD area and the second the Belvedere and Brenton area.
It is believed that in excess of 50 houses has burnt but this still needs to be confirmed.
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· Belvedere
· Welbedacht
· Nania
· Eastford
· Green Pastures
· Knysna Heights
The fire has split in two main fronts, one affecting the Knysna Heights and CBD area and the second the Belvedere and Brenton area.
It is believed that in excess of 50 houses has burnt but this still needs to be confirmed.
