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Fire breaks out at S.Africa’s Table Mountain

Fire swept the foot of South Africa’s famous Table Mountain on Wednesday, days after the flat-topped peak was formally crowned one of the world’s new seven wonders of nature, officials said.

Fire fighters battled for several hours to put out the blaze which broke out overnight and razed around 11 hectares (27 acres), said Cape Town chief fire officer Ian Schnetler.

The flat-topped mountain, 1,086 metres (3,563 feet) at its highest point, offers breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean and forms part of a national park.

Twenty-five families living nearby were evacuated after the veld fire broke out in windy weather. No injuries or damage to property was reported.

The mountain, which towers over Cape Town, joined the list of wonders as a result of a poll that allowed anyone in the world to vote via telephone, sms or social media networks.