A local resident prepares to put out a fire threatening houses on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa January 26, 2006.(Photo:Xinhua/AFP)

    JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- A fire ranged out of control on the lower slopes of Table Mountain on Thursday, threatening property near the mountain in Cape Town, the number one tourist city in South Africa.

    Residents using handkerchiefs and T-shirts as makeshift masks, stood in the streets watching as 18 to 20 fire tenders fought the fire assisted by three helicopters with water buckets.

     Some of them ran from the scene cradling pets in their arms. Others drove away with their dogs on the back of their bakkies.

    As the flames licked closer to their homes, residents in one area used hosepipes, ice buckets and cooler boxes filled with water to douse the flames across the road.

    According to local radio report, the fire had spread to the Lion's Head side of Kloof Nek Road, which has been closed to traffic.

A helicopter carries water to a fire threatening houses on the slopes of Table Mountain.(Photo:Xinhua/Reuters)

    Cape Town fire chief Piet Smith said: "It's quite a large fire on the side of the mountain facing the dock area," however, no evacuation orders had been issued yet.

    Apart from firemen, officials from the national parks and the working on fire program were also "throwing everything at it", he said.

    Smith said the firefighters' task was being hampered by a strong south-easterly wind. "A strong wind is fanning the flames and it's out of control."

    He could not say when the fire might be brought under control. Enditem