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Cape Town Blaze Almost Contained: Parks Agency
04/20/21 AT 5:58 AM
A sweeping fire on South Africa s iconic Table Mountain that choked Cape Town with smoke and destroyed several historic sites including a university library was almost fully contained on Tuesday, officials said.
High winds had strengthened the blaze that was first spotted Sunday but calmer weather conditions Tuesday allowed for fire crews to ramp up their aerial attack with five helicopters, said Rey Thakhuli, spokesman for South Africa National Parks. At least 600 hectares of land were charred Photo: AFP / RODGER BOSCH Approximately 90 percent of the fire has been contained, he said in a statement to AFP.
South Africa s Cape Town Blaze Under Control
04/20/21 AT 12:45 PM
South Africa s Table Mountain smouldered on Tuesday after a fire swept the iconic site, destroying a library housing rare collections and forcing thousands to evacuate, but officials said the blaze was under control. At least 600 hectares of land were charred Photo: AFP / RODGER BOSCH
Smoke rose from the mountain after firefighters battled to contain the flames with the help of helicopters dumping water on the blaze, which first broke out Sunday. The fire is very much under control, City of Cape Town safety chief JP Smith said. The fire broke out in the foothills of Table Mountain Photo: AFP / RODGER BOSCH
Cape Town blaze almost contained: parks agency
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CAPE TOWN, April 20, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – A sweeping fire on South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain that choked Cape Town with smoke and destroyed several historic sites including a university library was almost fully contained on Tuesday, officials said.
High winds had strengthened the blaze that was first spotted Sunday but calmer weather conditions Tuesday allowed for fire crews to ramp up their aerial attack with five helicopters, said Rey Thakhuli, spokesman for South Africa National Parks.
“Approximately 90 percent of the fire has been contained,” he said in a statement to AFP.
The fire first broke out in the foothills of Table Mountain, a favourite with tourists, and spread to the University of Cape Town (UCT), destroying buildings and forcing students to flee.