“I was on Upper Campus, and we had to evacuate the building. Then I came down to the law building on Middle Campus, and some of the trees caught on fire there too.”
These were the words of Peter Kastoor, a music student at the University of Cape Town (UCT), who was on campus when the Table Mountain fire reached UCT premises on Sunday, 18 April.
“We have seen about 4 different helicopters battling the fire at the Jagger Library, which houses artefacts on African Studies,” according to Peter Kastoor, a UCT music student. VIDEO: Kimberley Schoeman
The fire, which reportedly has since been brought under control, initially started earlier that day, near Philip Kgosana Drive, Officer Jay Adams of Rondebosch South African Police Services (SAPS) told MatieMedia. The fire then spread around the mountain and reached parts of Rhodes Memorial, as well as the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Upper and Middle Campuses, according to Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service.
By Sunday afternoon, helicopters, firefighters and a group of UCT students battled multiple fires that sprang up around the psychology buildings and the library on UCT campus, according to another UCT student that volunteered to fight the fire.
Helicopters battle the blaze at the University of Cape Town’s Jagger Library, which houses artefacts relating to African studies. VIDEO: Kimberley Schoeman
“We have seen about 4 different helicopters battling the fire at the Jagger Library, which houses artefacts on African Studies. Otherwise, there are patches of fire all over Upper Campus,” Kastoor relayed on Sunday afternoon.
A local firefighter on the scene claimed that, apart from Mostert’s Windmill, “a minister’s house and about five other houses on Rhodes Drive caught on fire and had to be evacuated”.
Ash from the fire on the University of Cape Town’s Upper Campus caused the trees surrounding the law buildings on Middle Campus to catch alight. VIDEO: Kimberley Schoeman
Food, beverages and essential items are currently being gathered by the Gift of Givers Foundation for students that were displaced from UCT residences by the fire, according to Mandy Mncwabe, a member of the Gift of Givers Foundation. The foundation is also collecting donations to support the students, she added.
Several houses along Rhodes Drive caught alight and were evacuated, including a minister’s residence. VIDEO: Kimberley Schoeman
Stellenbosch residents can drop off donations for those affected by the fire at specified locations in Stellenbosch, according to a WhatsApp message from the Stellenbosch University (SU) Prim Committee.
Whatsapp Message broadcasted by SU Prim Committee regarding donations for those affected by the Table Mountain fire.
According to a News24 article, police have confirmed the arrest of a suspect in connection with the fire. The case is still under investigation and an appearance in court has not yet been scheduled, according to the article.