FIRE BREAKS OUT ON PELJESAC PENINSULA

( Editorial: --> 2059 ) ZAGREB/DUBROVNIK, Aug 6 (Hina) - The fire which broke out Wednesday night on the Peljesac peninsula (southern Croatia), on the slopes of St Elias hill, has spread towards the western villages of Kuciste, Viganj and Lovisce. The fire has caught the area eight km long and about two km wide, the local police fire department reported. About ten houses in Viganj have been consumed by fire. There have been no reports on the injured. The local residents and tourists have been evacuated and the fire is approaching Kuciste. According to a fire department official Djuliano Grun, the situation in the area of Dubrovnik has improved slightly as the wind has abated. Engaged in containing the fire on Peljesac are the county's professional and volunteer fire brigades, Croatian Army and local residents. Fire brigades from other counties are expected to arrive during the day to help contain the fire. Several other fires have also broken out on the islands of Korcula and Lastovo and in the Konavli area. (hina) rml 061044 MET aug 98