Large Blaze on Cape Town's Table Mountain Burns Down Restaurant

A fire engulfed part of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, on April 18, prompting evacuation orders for hikers in the area per Table Mountain National Park.

Around 129 firefighters were dispatched to the scene after the fire was reported at 9 am local time, TMNP said.

“It can be confirmed that the Rhodes Memorial Restaurant has unfortunately burnt down,” the national park said. Local reports described the restaurant as a popular scenic venue.

The fire started above Philip Kgosana Drive/Hospital Bend, according to park officials, spreading quickly due to high temperatures of 36 degrees “and an extremely low relative humidity of under 10%.”

The fire also spread to the veld above the University of Cape Town (UCT) upper campus and to areas below the M3, closing nearby roads, TMNP said.

Video filmed by Claire Berzen shows a burst of fire in the area near Rhodes Memorial Restaurant as a firefighting helicopter flies overhead. Credit: Claire Berzen via Storyful