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25 October 2024
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Biggest rescue on Table Mountain in 64 years after lithium battery fire halted cableway, Cape Town
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A total of 75 people, including injured and exhausted tourists, were helped down a steep hiking trail on Thursday, 24 October 2024, in what volunteers and professionals described as the biggest Table Mountain rescue in 64 years. Cape Town’s Table Mountain Aerial Cableway's lower cable station had to stop operations soon after 13h00 when a bank of lithium batteries caught fire, sending thick smoke into the air. There were about 400 people at the top of the mountain. South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson, JP Louw, said the fire started inside a garage in the building just before lunchtime, leaving some staff and visitors stranded.
“A fire that broke out at the Table Mountain National Park cableway lower cable station has been contained and guests and staff were safely evacuated. The City of Cape Town Fire Department managed this structural fire while Table Mountain National Park fire crew supported in the surrounding vegetation,” Louw said.
Once backup power was restored, people at the top were brought down by cable car but many had earlier chosen to walk down.
Louw said while guests and staff from the lower cable station were safely evacuated with no injuries, it took a bit longer for those at the top of the mountain. “A number of guests chose to walk down Platteklip Gorge to evacuate before the cable car was operational and were assisted on the trail by SANParks rangers.
“The SANParks ground crew also attended to wild fires on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, as well as the area above the upper block house on Devils Peak and at Kloofnek corner. No persons were present at these locations. All fires are now contained and mopping up operations are underway,” Louw said.
Fire extinguished
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, said that the Fire and Rescue Service received the call at 13h10 of lithium batteries alight. “A bank of lithium batteries caught alight in the garage where it was housed. The fire crews’ first priority was the safety of the staff and ensuring the area was unobstructed so that fire resources had easy access. The aim was to extinguish the fire and contain it from spreading further. At 19h00 the fire was extinguished and the Joint Operation Centre closed down. The entire bank of batteries was destroyed as well as the electricity supply to the cable way. Challenges faced included the hazardous environment that the firefighters encountered and the excessive heat that was emitted by the batteries.”
Rescue efforts
Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) said, “In a carefully co-ordinated multidisciplinary effort, dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from WSAR made their way up the Platteklip Gorge hiking trail to assist 75 tourists who had decided to walk down the popular trail after a fire near the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway lower cable station halted operations.”
A high-tech drone from Provincial Health and Wellness Emergency Services was deployed to remotely monitor the pedestrian traffic on the route and alert the rescue team about hikers in difficulty.
“Teams responded to three separate instances where exhausted and injured tourists required assistance,” said WSAR. Rescuers assisted two struggling visitors down the mountain, while a 45-year-old Dutch visitor was hoisted up from the mountainside and rescued by a helicopter after injuring her lower leg.
“Incidents like these require large multidisciplinary teams and careful co-ordination, demonstrating the depth within WSAR and our ability to respond to wilderness emergencies,” said WSAR spokesperson David Nel. The incident ended at 19h30 after rescuers scoured the trail to ensure everyone was safely off the mountain. “We’re proud to respond alongside our peers from the emergency services and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed to the successful rescue effort,” said WSAR.
A separate fire along Signal Hill was also being monitored into the night. Carelse said, “A vegetation fire there was contained by 13h00 and has since been extinguished. Crews are conducting mop-up operations and monitoring for any potential flare-ups.”
Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) photos by Fabian Higgins/EMS Drone Unit, Travis Talmarkes, Fredy Mohorich and Mountain Club of SA Search and Rescue
Sources: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)
“A fire that broke out at the Table Mountain National Park cableway lower cable station has been contained and guests and staff were safely evacuated. The City of Cape Town Fire Department managed this structural fire while Table Mountain National Park fire crew supported in the surrounding vegetation,” Louw said.
Once backup power was restored, people at the top were brought down by cable car but many had earlier chosen to walk down.
Louw said while guests and staff from the lower cable station were safely evacuated with no injuries, it took a bit longer for those at the top of the mountain. “A number of guests chose to walk down Platteklip Gorge to evacuate before the cable car was operational and were assisted on the trail by SANParks rangers.
“The SANParks ground crew also attended to wild fires on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, as well as the area above the upper block house on Devils Peak and at Kloofnek corner. No persons were present at these locations. All fires are now contained and mopping up operations are underway,” Louw said.
Fire extinguished
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, said that the Fire and Rescue Service received the call at 13h10 of lithium batteries alight. “A bank of lithium batteries caught alight in the garage where it was housed. The fire crews’ first priority was the safety of the staff and ensuring the area was unobstructed so that fire resources had easy access. The aim was to extinguish the fire and contain it from spreading further. At 19h00 the fire was extinguished and the Joint Operation Centre closed down. The entire bank of batteries was destroyed as well as the electricity supply to the cable way. Challenges faced included the hazardous environment that the firefighters encountered and the excessive heat that was emitted by the batteries.”
Rescue efforts
Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) said, “In a carefully co-ordinated multidisciplinary effort, dedicated teams of professionals and volunteers from WSAR made their way up the Platteklip Gorge hiking trail to assist 75 tourists who had decided to walk down the popular trail after a fire near the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway lower cable station halted operations.”
A high-tech drone from Provincial Health and Wellness Emergency Services was deployed to remotely monitor the pedestrian traffic on the route and alert the rescue team about hikers in difficulty.
“Teams responded to three separate instances where exhausted and injured tourists required assistance,” said WSAR. Rescuers assisted two struggling visitors down the mountain, while a 45-year-old Dutch visitor was hoisted up from the mountainside and rescued by a helicopter after injuring her lower leg.
“Incidents like these require large multidisciplinary teams and careful co-ordination, demonstrating the depth within WSAR and our ability to respond to wilderness emergencies,” said WSAR spokesperson David Nel. The incident ended at 19h30 after rescuers scoured the trail to ensure everyone was safely off the mountain. “We’re proud to respond alongside our peers from the emergency services and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed to the successful rescue effort,” said WSAR.
A separate fire along Signal Hill was also being monitored into the night. Carelse said, “A vegetation fire there was contained by 13h00 and has since been extinguished. Crews are conducting mop-up operations and monitoring for any potential flare-ups.”
Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) photos by Fabian Higgins/EMS Drone Unit, Travis Talmarkes, Fredy Mohorich and Mountain Club of SA Search and Rescue
Sources: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR)
