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Massive fire in South Africa destroys thousands of acres in Cape Town

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A massive fire in Cape Town, South Africa, destroyed thousands of acres of rare plants and 52 senior citizens from a nearby nursing home needed treatment for smoke inhalation.

A massive fire in Cape Town, South Africa, destroyed thousands of acres of rare plants and 52 senior citizens from a nearby nursing home needed treatment for smoke inhalation.

An additional 250 firefighters were called to the scene on Monday to help extinguish the blaze. [SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM/AP]
An additional 250 firefighters were called to the scene on Monday to help extinguish the blaze. [SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM/AP]

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Seniors at the Noordhoek nursing home in the path of the blaze needed to be evacuated, and 52 needed treatment for smoke inhalation. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]
Seniors at the Noordhoek nursing home in the path of the blaze needed to be evacuated, and 52 needed treatment for smoke inhalation. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]

The blaze started on Sunday and engulfed the seaside town’s iconic Table Mountain terrain. Another fire started on Monday and it remains burning but is under control, reports the South African Press Association.

A resident of Noordhoek uses a garden hose to extinguish a blaze aproaching his home Monday. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]
A resident of Noordhoek uses a garden hose to extinguish a blaze aproaching his home Monday. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]

The Table Mountain National Park is home to many rare species of plant life, including fynbos and proteas flora.

A helictopter uses water from the Atlantic Ocean to dump on top of the flames. [RODGER BOSCH/AFP/GETTY IMAGES]
A helictopter uses water from the Atlantic Ocean to dump on top of the flames. [RODGER BOSCH/AFP/GETTY IMAGES]

No fatalities have been reported but one firefighter has been treated at a hospital for burn wounds and 52 frail-care residents from the Noordhoek retirement village were treated for smoke inhalation, the association reports.

The situation has caused many homes to be evacuated. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]
The situation has caused many homes to be evacuated. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]

Other retirement villages were evacuated but the residents have since returned to their homes.

The massive fire has spanned thousands of acres since it started on Sunday. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]
The massive fire has spanned thousands of acres since it started on Sunday. [NIC BOTHMA/EPA]

Hundreds of firefighters and volunteers are working to contain the blaze, which has been fanned by strong winds and the current hot summer temperatures. Another 250 firefighters were called to the scene Monday.