A TimesLIVE team was evacuated from Buffalo Bay on Saturday afternoon as roaring flames closed in on the Garden Route coastal community.
Reporter Petru Saal and photographer Esa Alexander were ordered to leave with all residents and firefighters.
In a WhatsApp message from the beach‚ Saal said:
“Residents and fire team assembled at the beach. Tensions and high and everyone is scared‚ us too. To hurriedly pack a few belongings into your car and leave everything else behind is heartbreaking.
“The look of desperation and despair is in everyone's eyes. Some people are standing on the beach and others are in their cars.
“’Where do you go to?’ one Buffalo Bay resident asked me. She smiles but it’s a nervous smile. It's an ‘I fear for my life’ smile.