WATCH | Video timelapse of raging Cape Town fire spreading towards city

Flames are seen close to the city fanned by strong winds after a bushfire broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, on April 19, 2021.
Flames are seen close to the city fanned by strong winds after a bushfire broke out on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, on April 19, 2021.
Image: MIKE HUTCHINGS

Fires in Cape Town spread rapidly overnight on Sunday due to high winds in the area.

A fire which started on Sunday morning spread to the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) upper campus, destroying a restaurant near Rhodes Memorial and gutting the Jagger Library next to Sarah Baartman Hall on the UCT campus.

Firefighters and helicopters worked throughout the day to douse the flames, but overnight a strong south-easter wind picked up strength and spread the flames across Devil’s Peak and towards the City Bowl.

Early on Monday morning residents in Vredehoek at the foot of Devil’s Peak were requested to evacuate.

The video timelapse shows how the fire spread down Devil’s Peak towards Vredehoek from 4am to sunrise on Monday morning.


subscribe

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.