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eventREF E-0072838Revised

Event record

A fire breaks out on Table Mountain after a British tourist allegedly tossed a lit cigarette out of a car window

Date
26 Jan 2006
Updated
30 Sep 2019
A fire breaks out on Table Mountain after a British tourist allegedly tossed a lit cigarette out of a car window

On 26 January 2006, a massive fire swept along the lower slopes of Table Mountain, threatening the nearby suburbs and cutting off several hiking groups.Although Table Mountain is generally prone to fires, this one was caused by a cigarette butt. It is reported that a British tourist threw the cigarette butt that started the fire from a car window. A woman walking with her daughter died after being surrounded by the fire. The daughter managed to run for help, leaving her mother dying of smoke inhalation. The tourist, identified as Anthony Cooper, was arrested and charged with culpable homicide and arson.

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How we know this

  1. 01Munnion, C., (2006), ‘Briton in court over Table Mountain fire’, from The Telegraph, 28 January, [online], Available at www.telegraph.co.uk [Accessed: 9 December 2011]
  2. 02Igo ugo, ‘Table Mountain, Devil's Peak & Lion's Head welcome you to Cape Town!’, From Igo Ugo, [online], Available at www.igougo.com [Accessed: 9 December 2011]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, January 19). A fire breaks out on Table Mountain after a British tourist allegedly tossed a lit cigarette out of a car window . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0072838

South African History Online (2012) 'A fire breaks out on Table Mountain after a British tourist allegedly tossed a lit cigarette out of a car window ', South African History Online, 19 January. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0072838 (Accessed: 2 August 2026).

South African History Online, A fire breaks out on Table Mountain after a British tourist allegedly tossed a lit cigarette out of a car window [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0072838, (accessed 2 August 2026).

"A fire breaks out on Table Mountain after a British tourist allegedly tossed a lit cigarette out of a car window ." South African History Online, 19 Jan. 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0072838. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "A fire breaks out on Table Mountain after a British tourist allegedly tossed a lit cigarette out of a car window ." South African History Online. January 19, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0072838.

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