A firefighter has died after he sustained burns to 70% of his body while combating raging fires along the Garden Route.
The death brings to 10 the total number of fatalities after a severe storm lashed the Western Cape and runaway fires forced the evacuation of thousands of residents from Knysna.
On Friday the fires threatened nearby Plettenberg Bay.
Local government spokesman James-Brent Styan told TimesLIVE on Friday: “Sadly‚ we have had 10 deaths so far. Five in the (Cape) metropole and five in the Eden District.”
The firefighter was taken to hospital on Thursday after sustaining 70% burn wounds. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
A member of the public was also taken to hospital on Thursday with 50% burn wounds.
Watch: Knysna resident: 'We have lost everything'