News Desk :
A major fire has erupted at the South African parliament building in Cape Town, with flames bursting from the roof of a building and a plume of smoke that could be seen from miles away.
The fire has “burned down” the entire National Assembly where parliamentarians sit, a spokesperson said on Sunday, reports Al Jazeera and news agencies.
“The entire chamber where the members sit… has burned down,” Molotho Mothapo said, adding that the blaze had still not been extinguished.
Firefighters arrived at the building a few minutes after receiving the initial call at 06:12 local time (04:12 GMT) on Sunday, the City Fire Services said, as large flames and a huge column of smoke engulfed parts of the compound.
National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula told a press conference earlier that the National Assembly had caught fire, contrary to previous reports that the Old Assembly building had been the only one affected.
Mapisa-Nqakula said the fire will not prevent the State of the Nation Address from going ahead in February.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia De Lille told the press conference that the National Assembly was still burning.
“We have not been able to contain the fire in the national assembly chambers. Part of the ceilings have collapsed,” she said.
The precinct has three main sections, the original Parliament building completed in the late 1800s and two newer parts built in the 20th century. Historical artefacts inside the premises are likely to have been damaged or destroyed.
The fire initially was concentrated at the old Parliament building, which is located behind the National Assembly, De Lille told reporters. She had initially said firefighters had the situation under control, but the flames later spread to the current Parliament building.
