There has been a devastating fire on Table Mountain the last two days. Two areas remain burning but further threat to humans or housing are now believed to be under control.
The fire was started by a 36 year-old UK salesman on vacation. Apparently, he was witnessed throwing a lit cigarette over the wall at the top of the cable station and has admitted that it started the fire in yesterday's high winds. This has been a very dry summer and there are signs all over asking tourists to smoke only in controlled areas and to make sure cigarettes are out.
In a strange twist of fate, the only fatality so far is also from the UK, a 65 year-old tourist hiking on the mountain with her daughter was killed by smoke inhalation. Sixteen further hikers were unaccounted for this morning and feared dead (their cars were parked at along hiking path entryways and they did not answer their home phones). However, some have been found safe on the mountain in the last few moments.
The tourist appeared in court this morning and has handed over his passport. He is being charged with arson and culpable homicide.
The lesson here is to follow the rules in a foreign country (or anywhere for that matter) as regards fire safety. This particular tourist is likely to learn a lot more about South Africa than he ever thought possible when he came on holiday.
http://www.capetalk.co.za/bainskloof_fire.asp?id=70
The fire was started by a 36 year-old UK salesman on vacation. Apparently, he was witnessed throwing a lit cigarette over the wall at the top of the cable station and has admitted that it started the fire in yesterday's high winds. This has been a very dry summer and there are signs all over asking tourists to smoke only in controlled areas and to make sure cigarettes are out.
In a strange twist of fate, the only fatality so far is also from the UK, a 65 year-old tourist hiking on the mountain with her daughter was killed by smoke inhalation. Sixteen further hikers were unaccounted for this morning and feared dead (their cars were parked at along hiking path entryways and they did not answer their home phones). However, some have been found safe on the mountain in the last few moments.
The tourist appeared in court this morning and has handed over his passport. He is being charged with arson and culpable homicide.
The lesson here is to follow the rules in a foreign country (or anywhere for that matter) as regards fire safety. This particular tourist is likely to learn a lot more about South Africa than he ever thought possible when he came on holiday.
http://www.capetalk.co.za/bainskloof_fire.asp?id=70