A fire is raging across the Table Mountain, in sourthern Cape Town and latest reports from the ground have confirmed that UCT residential students and homeowners have been evacuated.
What caused the fire?
On a hot and dry Sunday in the city, thick plumes of smoke were seen permeating from the Table Mountain National Park.
According to City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse, emergency units were called to an area where dry vegetation was burning at about 08:45, above Philip Kgosana Drive.
“Fire crews were immediately dispatched to the scene, with the fire currently spreading from Rhodes Memorial toward UCT. A section of the tea room at Rhodes Memorial has been destroyed and people are urged not to enter the area,” he said
Watch: Latest footage of Cape Town fire
At the time this article was published, helicopters carrying large sums of water could be heard flying across the Mother City skies, as firefighters continue to contain the inferno.
Here are the latest videos and updates on the current situation shared by reporters on the ground:
#RhodesMemorialFire Main Rd Rondebosch, Cape Town. Massive mountain fire raging out of control.. @BOSBEER2006 @1SecondLater @EWNTraffic @News24 @eNCA @MARIUSBROODRYK pic.twitter.com/1NKvOitu2s
— BOSBEER.COM (@BOSBEER2006) April 18, 2021
Cadboll house UCT. #capetownfire pic.twitter.com/hXe5cTUUY9
— (@MissMuthwa) April 18, 2021
A convey of black security vehicles just speedily drove out of the Genadendal Residence – Presidential property in Rondebosch Cape Town. There are water bombing helicopters flying over the property and surrounding area. #CTFire #Newzroom405
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) April 18, 2021
Besendisith we going extinct…this happened right in front of me #capetownfire pic.twitter.com/6ngYIqDDjB
— Ncumisa Garishe (@GarisheNcumisa) April 18, 2021
Respect and gratitude for our amazing fire fighting teams#capetownfire pic.twitter.com/ZBVdOIA18t
— Sam Linsell (@drizzleanddip) April 18, 2021
Madness #capetownfire pic.twitter.com/wOVWDYUfGj
— Robyn Silverstone (@RobsSilverstone) April 18, 2021
A powerful picture.
— Maggie (@Magdeline_MM) April 18, 2021
Strength to our firefighters trying to contain the Table Mountain fire #capetownfire pic.twitter.com/GrBxudJUIp
#CapeTownFire Video as received. pic.twitter.com/QLcuxh7m3C
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 18, 2021
Oh no! UCT #CapeTownFire pic.twitter.com/XlBSaEYS9N
— Ricardo Mackenzie (@ricardomackenzi) April 18, 2021
#RhodesMemorialFire Student at UCT being evacuated due to out of control Mountain fire… @BOSBEER2006 @1SecondLater @EWNTraffic @News24 @eNCA @MARIUSBROODRYK pic.twitter.com/9dlvpBqml6
— BOSBEER.COM (@BOSBEER2006) April 18, 2021