The fire erupted early on Sunday in the city's famous landmark and spread quickly due to high winds, damaging buildings and forcing the evacuation of people from nearby neighbourhoods.

On Monday, the powerful winds grounded helicopters deployed to help with the efforts.

Firefighters were concentrating their efforts on Tuesday at an aerial cable-way station on the mountain.

While the city continued to be covered in heavy smoke on Tuesday, the initial clean-up work began at the University of Cape Town.

The flames ripped into the campus on Sunday afternoon, burning its historic library and causing other damage. Around 4,000 students living at the university fled as the fire approached.

South African Education Minister Blade Nzimande said a relief fund has been set up for the university and he called on the private sector to donate to the reconstruction effort.

Additional offers of help are arriving from around the world, according to university officials. The institution will remain closed up to and including Friday, according to the administration.

Officials said the cause of the fire was likely a campfire lit by a homeless man, who has been arrested and charged with arson.

The 35-year-old Tanzanian man appeared briefly in court on Tuesday and maintained his innocence, according to his lawyer, Shagan Balram.

He had not lit a fire, but in fact had tried to extinguish one, Balram told reporters. The court proceedings were adjourned for a week, and the Tanzanian remains in custody for the time being.

Australian Associated Press