SOUTH AFRICA: Seniors' Home Evacuated as Cape Fires Rage

CAPE TOWN (Cape Times), December 25, 2005: Residents of a seniors' home and holidaymakers in a caravan park at Melkbosstrand north of Cape Town were evacuated on Sunday afternoon as the fire which has been raging in the area since Saturday bore down on them. People streamed out of the Ouskip caravan park, many moving their vehicles down to an open area next to the beach. A rain of white ash fell around them and a pall of smoke turned the sun into an orange ball. The caravan park is surrounded by dense bush. City fire chief Piet Smith said the seniors' home was being evacuated, with the assistance of emergency services personnel. City police said the R27, which goes past Melkbosstrand on its way to the West Coast, was closed, and advised motorists to use the N7 instead. - Sapa