• Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire in the Jagger Library, at the University of Cape Town, after a forest fire spread down the foothills of Table Mountain, in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday. AFP
    Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire in the Jagger Library, at the University of Cape Town, after a forest fire spread down the foothills of Table Mountain, in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday. AFP
  • Students are evacuated from their residences at the University of Cape Town as the forest fire burns out of control. AFP
    Students are evacuated from their residences at the University of Cape Town as the forest fire burns out of control. AFP
  • Firefighters retreat from a wall of flame as the forest fire burns out of control on the foothills of Table Mountain, Cape Town. AFP
    Firefighters retreat from a wall of flame as the forest fire burns out of control on the foothills of Table Mountain, Cape Town. AFP
  • The charred remains of historic Mostert's Mill, which was built in 1796, with the forest fire still burning in the background. AFP
    The charred remains of historic Mostert's Mill, which was built in 1796, with the forest fire still burning in the background. AFP
  • A firefighter surveys the smouldering shells of buildings at the historic Mostert's Mill site, destroyed in the bushfire on the slopes of Table Mountain, Cape Town. Reuters
    A firefighter surveys the smouldering shells of buildings at the historic Mostert's Mill site, destroyed in the bushfire on the slopes of Table Mountain, Cape Town. Reuters
  • A helicopter tries to douse the blaze that destroyed the Jagger Library, dating back almost 200 years, on the University of Cape Town campus. EPA
    A helicopter tries to douse the blaze that destroyed the Jagger Library, dating back almost 200 years, on the University of Cape Town campus. EPA
  • A firefighter battles the bushfire that broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town. Several firefighters were injured tackling the blaze. Reuters
    A firefighter battles the bushfire that broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town. Several firefighters were injured tackling the blaze. Reuters
  • Firefighters fight flames at the University of Cape Town's Jagger Library. Reuters
    Firefighters fight flames at the University of Cape Town's Jagger Library. Reuters
  • Colleagues attend to a firefighter who collapsed due to the effects of smoke and heat, while fighting the forest fire on the foothills of Table Mountain. AFP
    Colleagues attend to a firefighter who collapsed due to the effects of smoke and heat, while fighting the forest fire on the foothills of Table Mountain. AFP
  • Firefighters attempt to extinguish a burning building at the University of Cape Town. Many university buildings were damaged. AP Photo
    Firefighters attempt to extinguish a burning building at the University of Cape Town. Many university buildings were damaged. AP Photo
  • Fire crews battle to contain the bushfire that broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain. Reuters
    Fire crews battle to contain the bushfire that broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain. Reuters
  • A helicopter drops water over the wildfire at Rhodes Memorial on Table Mountain, Cape Town. AP Photo
    A helicopter drops water over the wildfire at Rhodes Memorial on Table Mountain, Cape Town. AP Photo
  • The destruction caused by the bushfire that broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain, in Cape Town, South Africa. Reuters
    The destruction caused by the bushfire that broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain, in Cape Town, South Africa. Reuters

South African Table Mountain forest fire threatens University of Cape Town


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

A fire on the slopes of South Africa's Table Mountain forced University of Cape Town students to move to safety on Sunday, as campus buildings were set ablaze and firefighters used helicopters to bomb the area with water.

One firefighter sustained burns and was taken to hospital for treatment, officials said.

The fire started early on Sunday near a memorial to former leader Cecil Rhodes on Devil's Peak before spreading rapidly up the slopes.

Heavy smoke could be seen for kilometres. Some roads were closed and fire alerts were sent to mountain hikers.

"All UCT students have been evacuated from campus by emergency services support staff," the university said.

Ranked among the best on the continent, the university is on the slopes of Devil's Peak, close to where the fire started.

Social media footage showed students milling around on the main road, amid billowing smoke fanned by strong winds.

Another video, tweeted by the local government, showed flames raging inside an old building lined with columns.

City officials said they have not asked residents in the popular Rondesbosch suburb and surrounding area to move.

"The situation is being monitored and staff will go door to door in the event that evacuation is required," they said.

Read more: