HOGSBACK AFLAME

FIRE-fighters continued to keep a close eye on the Hogsback area on Wednesday after a runaway fire razed a large section of the forest and gutted a home on Tuesday. The fire was brought under control at about 7pm. An estimated 2 000 hectares of pine plantation and a house were destroyed, while three more homes in the village were damaged. Police had difficulty gaining access to some of the houses because some roads were inaccessible. The area was being monitored to prevent the fire from re-igniting. A local fire inspector said dry hot conditions and strong winds were added risk factors conducive to veld fires. – AFP