The devastating fires that started on Sunday, April 18, have mostly been contained, this is all thanks to the relentless efforts by the Cape Town firefighters.
Fire crews worked for three consecutive days, this was a collective effort of the 125 TMNP rangers, the 170 fire and rescue workers, the South African National Defence Force, CoCT personnel, law enforcement, and the many volunteers.
Four firefighters were hurt badly, but luckily there were no casualties.
Cape Town firefighters have been applauded for fighting the relentless blaze:
The City would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to our firefighters, emergency workers, law enforcement and traffic officials as well as volunteer firefighters for their tireless efforts in containing the #CTFire. pic.twitter.com/rDIhbrEkTy
— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) April 20, 2021
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The extent of the damage
The government buildings owned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure were also completely destroyed by the fire.
A 225-year-old windmill and a restaurant near a memorial to British colonial politician Cecil Rhodes.
The Table Mountain National Park authority estimated that around 1,482 acres of land had burned.
4000 University of Cape Town students had to be evacuated from their residences. The University campus was one of the first sites to be hit on Sunday, a 100-year-old library containing rare books and manuscripts on African studies also went up in flames.
Thank you to the Cape Town Firefighters risking their lives to bring Cape Town’s Table Mountain fires under control.
We appreciate you!
We Salute you! #CapeTownFires#firefighters pic.twitter.com/5KsQUUpVbR— Cape Town Carnival (@CTCarnival) April 20, 2021



