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Fire rages through Cape Town - 21 April 2021

A massive fire has spread through the foothills of Table Mountain, Cape Town. It has reached the university library, which holds thousands of ancient books, photos and pamphlets.

Mayor Dan Plato is anxious about the library and other university buildings.

Dan Plato: "On campus is more than ten fire vehicles currently. We have three buildings currently burning sporadically and, but this one is a major problem for us. It’s the library with lots and lots of old ancient valuables in the library."

Thanks to the sprinkler system in the library, some of its contents have been saved. However, gusts of wind blew the fire toward the university's student accommodation. Students were forced to escape the blaze.

The fire ripped through residential areas and destroyed the famous Mostert's Mill, which was the only complete windmill left in South Africa.

An emergency fire team of more than 200 responded to the alarm early on Sunday morning. Sadly, two of the team suffered injuries in the fire. Four helicopters have also arrived at the scene to try to extinguish the fire from the air.

There was worry about the people who were out walking in the countryside around Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. Social media messages were sent to alert them of the danger.

It is thought that the fire first broke out near the statue of the historic figure Cecil Rhodes. The fire might have originally been lit by a rough sleeper who was trying to fight off the cold.

Mr Plato, the Mayor of Cape Town, believes the facts about the cause of the fire will soon come to light.

Dan Plato: "Me, I think, during the night, early tomorrow morning, we will be in a much better position to say where and how the fire have started."