As the huge fire continued to burn along Table Mountain,
South African emergency workers evacuated three 17-storey residential buildings overlooking Cape Town, according to a BBC report.
The blaze spread quickly after breaking out on Sunday morning near a memorial to politician Cecil Rhodes. A restaurant was destroyed. The University of Cape Town's historic library was also badly damaged.
About 250 firefighters have been battling the blaze, which has been fanned by strong winds. Helicopters were used to water-bomb flames, but their work had been hampered by the conditions.
South African National Parks said firefighters were alerted at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on Sunday. The flames spread quickly because of the low humidity and dry bush. The fire created its wind further increasing the rate of spread, it added, estimating that firefighters would need at least three days to control the blaze.
The Table Mountain area is prone to fires because of its vegetation, but this is the first time it has engulfed the neighbouring university.
A statement issued by city officials said that a suspect had been detained amid speculation that new fires may have been started and the original fire was an act of arson. “The fire is not under control yet. At this time, the wind is a major contributing factor," said an official.
The emergency services have evacuated some residents from the upmarket suburb of Vredehoek, along the slopes of Table Mountain. Schools in the suburb have been also ordered to evacuate. Disa Park, which refers to three identical residential buildings close to the foot of Table Mountain, has also been evacuated. The nearby University of Cape Town has also been shut and about 4,000 students evacuated.
The report claimed that historic collections were destroyed as the fire destroyed the Reading Room at the university's 200-year-old Jagger Library, including a unique collection of African books and archives - many still unexplored.
The historic Mostert's Mill was also destroyed. It was built in 1796 and was the oldest surviving windmill in South Africa.
Residents in the area have been warned of smoke and soot in the air and told to keep windows and doors closed.
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