Music at dawn calms the fearful

As sparks flew and other folk succumbed to panic, Noordhoek music teacher Ann Middleton was overcome by an unusual feeling.

She sat down at her piano and began playing, in the middle of a field, soothing everyone within earshot.

Her musical instruments and dog were all she managed to get out of her house after a number of Noordhoek residents were told by authorities to evacuate to a nearby sports field on Tuesday night.

"We sat through the night, with no sleep. As the dawn broke, a strange feeling came over me and I started to play. The fire was still going and sparks were flying."

A video of her playing her piano as dawn broke, shot by her friend Shirene Briell, went viral on social media with about 9000 hits by yesterday.

"When the wind turned at midnight and we were told to evacuate, I thought there was no way I was going to leave my most prized possessions," said Middleton.

"Some people there were dealing with the shock of possibly losing their homes - one person did in fact lose their home - and started to cry. It was very intense."

Middleton will return to her home today.

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