Fire Table Mountain in Cape Town under control

The fire that started on Table Mountain on Thursday 26 January 2006, was reported to be under control on Friday Morning.

Around 4pm on 26 January, a massive fire broke out on the lower slopes of South Africa's most prominent landmark - Table Mountain. CapeTownMagazine.com -from its office and from closer to the mountain- witnessed how the fire on the lower slopes of Table Mountain rapidly spread to the higher slopes, Lion's Head and the suburbs of Fresnaye and Sea Point.

The fire on Table Mountain seems to have started around Table Mountain Road and Deer Park, just above the Higgovale and Oranjezicht suburbs (perched high up on the mountain's slopes) and many houses seemed in danger of burning.
Due to the strong southeasterly wind, the fire moved up Platteklip Gorge ( the most popular hiking trail up Table Mountain). Around five, the city of Cape Town was hidden in a thick layer of brownish smoke.
Until 8pm, three fire helicopters tried to kill the fire, but they had to stop when it became dark. They continued with their work as soon as the sun came up.
It was reported that one British woman died in the fire, due to inhalation problems and suffocation. The three tourists that were reported trapped on the mountain were brought to safety. A British tourist was arrested for arson. He will appear in court on Friday 27 January.
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Photographs courtesy of Tim Mois, Lodewijk Henry, Miriam Mannak and Molo.
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