“The roof has caught fire and the National Assembly building is also on fire,” said a spokesperson for the Cape Town emergency services.
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A major fire broke out on Sunday January 2 at the seat of the South African Parliament in Cape Town. “The roof has caught fire and the National Assembly building is also on fire”, said a spokesperson for the city’s emergency services, who asked for reinforcements on the spot. “The fire is not under control and cracks in the walls of the building have been reported”, he added.
The fire started around 5 a.m. local time. In the early morning, flames and a thick column of smoke are visible above the building. “The fire is currently on the third floor, the first elements indicate that it started in the offices before spreading to the gymnasium”, said the emergency services.
In pictures: Fire breaks out in the South African parliament building. Firefighters are present at the building, as large flames and a huge column of smoke was seen around Cape Town pic.twitter.com/I38S1U8GP0
– TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 2, 2022
The current “National Assembly is for the moment in security”, declared on the spot to the press the former mayor of Cape Town and current minister, Patricia of Lille. Rescue teams “control the situation”, she assured, but the latter fear that the fire will spread quickly in these old rooms adorned with rich rugs and curtains. No assessment has been given and the origin of the fire is not yet known. The streets of the upscale neighborhood were quickly cordoned off.
The city of Cape Town was already the victim of a major fire in April. A fire on Table Mountain overlooking the coastal city had spread and destroyed treasures in the library of the prestigious Cape Town University below.