British woman dies in Table Mountain fire

A British woman has died in a devastating fire that swept across South Africa's Table Mountain and another British tourist has been charged with starting the blaze, Cape Town police and fire officials said.

Dozens of fire fighters brought the fire under control yesterday after battling through the night as strong winds howled around the country's most famous landmark.

"One elderly woman has died - she was walking on the mountain when the fire engulfed it," said Philip Prins, fire and technical manager for Table Mountain National Park.

Police spokesman Tumi Golding said the 65-year-old woman, who was walking with her daughter, died of smoke inhalation.

Fire officials said the daughter ran to get help when her mother collapsed, but it arrived too late.

A 36-year-old British man from London - who was also a tourist - has been charged with starting the fire.