Firefighters have managed to extinguish the fire at the lower cableway station.
Earlier today the lower cableway station in Tafelberg Road was evacuated due to a fire. According to the City’s Fire and Rescue Services a bank of lithium batteries was burning, filling the immediate vicinity with thick smoke.
Wahida Parker, Managing Director of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC), said the fire was reportedly in the parking-garage area of the lower station building.
“Our fire-suppression system immediately activated to bring the flames under control, while our emergenc- response plan kicked into action. The City of Cape Town’s Fire Services arrived to assist. Our focus is to ensure the safety of all visitors and we thank them for their cooperation.”
She said all visitors that were on the mountain would be brought down.
“We will not transport anyone to the top until we’ve been given the all-clear by fire services to resume operations.”
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Services, said staff will remain on scene to ensure that the batteries do not reignite and that the area is safe.
He said fire crews were also actively working to extinguish a fire above the quarry near Strand Street.
“Crews from Sea Point, Roeland Street and Salt River are on scene as well as a crew from TMNP (Table Mountain National Parks). Firefighters managed to contain the fire. Efforts to completely extinguish the fire are ongoing.”
This story has been updated
