Cape Town - A fire was raging out of control on the slopes of Table Mountain on Wednesday morning and residents in High Cape and University Estate have had to flee their homes The fire broke out at about 20:30 just below the Rhodes memorial and it was initially feared it might spread to the upper campus of the University of Cape Town. However, no evacuations were needed at Ikeys. "There is an area of bush and grass on Table Mountain behind the University of Cape Town and near Vredehoek where the fire began," fire commander Ignatius Smart told Sapa. "It has spread to surrounding areas and is not under control as yet. "Three fire-fighters have been injured after falling on the mountain slopes," he said. Smart added that about 135 firefighters, disaster management officials and police were battling the blze. The fire was being fanned by strong winds, said fire and rescue's Deon Smit. De Waal Drive was closed for traffic at 00:15. Loudhailers were used to order residents of High Cape to evacuate as flames licked at the buildings. Long queues of cars formed as residents tried to escape the inferno. Helena Kolbe of University Estate said residents living six blocks above De Waal Drive were told to get out. Simon Hanson and a security guard had walked door-to-door to tell the residents to leave.
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