University of Cape Town students were forced to evacuate on Sunday as a wildfire on the slopes of South Africa’s Table Mountain set several campus buildings ablaze.
According to Reuters, one firefighter sustained burn wounds and was hospitalised for treatment, officials said.
The report said that fire started early on Sunday near a memorial to politician Cecil Rhodes, located on Devils Peak, another part of Cape Town’s mountainous backdrop, before spreading rapidly up the slopes.
Heavy smoke could be seen for kilometres away, some roads were closed and fire alerts were sent to mountain hikers.
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 as smoke plumes rose from its roof.
Heartbreaking to see the University of Cape Town like this. Greatly appreciative of all the firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to get the Table Mountain fire under control. pic.twitter.com/7fp87e2LZu
— PetersenLab_UCT (@PetersenLab_UCT) April 18, 2021
Table mountain.. UCT is on fire aswell pic.twitter.com/moYpXl1Dh9
— Lusanda Mnguni🌻 (@Asanda29202588) April 18, 2021
