Fire at Cape Town airport

Passengers were evacuated from a terminal at Cape Town International Airport yesterday after an electrical fire broke out, Airports Company SA said.

"At about 6.30am, the fire alarm was set off in the international departures lounge," spokesman Deidre Hendricks said.

"The fire and rescue team responded swiftly.

"We evacuated the terminal building as a precaution."

The fire did not last long and passengers were allowed back into the building just after 7am, she said.

The cause of the fire is unknown but Hendricks said it involved the electrical system in the international departures lounge.