Fire crews have worked through the night on the mountain fire. Aerial firefighting will resume at first light.

Confirmed buildings affected include the Rhodes Memorial restaurant, Mostert’s Mill, 2 thatched roof dwellings near Woolsack Dr, the HM Pearson, Fuller and Jagger Library at UCT.

UCT Libraries announced the Reading Room is completely gutted but thankfully the fire detection system in place triggered the fire shutters thereby preventing the spread of the fire to other parts of the Library.

Some valuable collections have been lost, however a full assessment can only be done once the building has been declared safe and staff can enter the building.

PICS: University of Cape Town Libraries