St Francis Bay fire burns down 100 houses

At least 100 houses burnt down in a raging fire at St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape, Kouga Municipality said on Sunday.

"The firefighters report that 100 houses have been burnt down and they are still battling with the flames because of the strong westerly wind," said said municipal spokeswoman Laura-Leigh Randall.

Ten fire engines had been brought to fight the flames and more had been called in from the Nelson Mandela Bay and Koukamma municipalities to help.

"The cause of the fire is not known but the fire started at about 5.30pm at Royal Wharf developments which is mainly townhouses," she said.

All residents in the area had been asked to evacuate and a temporary joint operations centre had been set up at the local police station.

Fire fighters were still battling the blaze at 10pm.