NATIONAL NEWS - A Pretoria woman has spoken out about the death of three of her family members in the Knysna fires on Wednesday.

Tony, Madré and their son Michael Johnston were killed in a fire in their home near Rheenendal.

According to the family member, who asked to remain anonymous, the circumstances surrounding their deaths were still unclear.

She said she believed the family, who lived on a smallholding, had become trapped inside the house when it became engulfed by flames.

“Tony is the last person we thought something like this would happen to,” she said. “He was able to handle any situation.”

She said Tony and Madré had been volunteers of a mountain rescue team.

She said the couple was always the first to volunteer if residents needed assistance during a fire.

“He [Tony] was the go to guy for survival. He was well loved.”

“They will be greatly missed. It is devastating.”