/ 2 February 2006

Destructive Overberg fires put out

Fires that caused havoc and extensive damage in the Overberg area in the Western Cape were put out during Wednesday night, Gansbaai police said.

Constable Sanele Mantanbo said on Thursday morning the fires were completely out and the road between Gansbaai and Hermanus has been reopened for traffic.

He could not say exactly what time the fires were put out.

The fires had been burning since Monday and had destroyed five buildings at an upmarket resort. Homes in the Gansbaai area were also at one stage threatened.

On Wednesday, Overberg fire chief Reinard Geldenhuys said the fire, which started near Elim on Monday afternoon, was burning on a continuous front of 40km.

Flames came so close to houses in Die Kelders, a residential area in Gansbaai, that plastic gutters melted. Water-bombing helicopters managed to stop the fire, though.

Three South African Air Force Oryx helicopters and an Alouette, plus a Working on Fire chopper, had fought the blaze during the day. — Sapa