10 Jun 2017, Port Elizabeth Fire Update: N2 Route ROAD CLOSED between Knysna and Sedgefield

Several houses between Thornhill, Lady Slipper and Rocklands on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth were gutted as a raging fire swept across the mountain range on Wednesday night.

It is believed that the fire started in the Longmore State Forest near Thornhill earlier this week.

At least eight houses bordering the Van Stadens River gorge were destroyed between Wednesday night and midday yesterday.

Last night, residents in Sardinia Bay and Schoenmakerskop had to be evacuated as a massive blaze that had destroyed a huge amount of vegetation threatened properties and livestock.

Yesterday, provincial police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said the fire in the Rocklands area was under control but smouldering.

“Eight families are being assisted by disaster management,” she said.