South Africa: Parliament fire 'under control'

Cape Town, Jan 03: Firefighters managed to contain the fire at the South African Parliament by Monday morning, but the blaze caused extensive damage and knocked down the roof of the old assembly building, authorities said.

"The fire was brought under control during the night," spokesman Jermaine Carelse told reporters, adding that the fire was still burning in the oldest wing of the complex, which was built in 1884.

He warned that the current National Assembly chamber, located in one of the newer buildings, "won't be used for months."

City of Cape Town safety and security official J.P. Smith said that the main chamber of the National Assembly was "completely gutted."

"The entire Parliament complex is severely damaged, waterlogged and smoke damaged," Smith said.

Police launch criminal case

A man was detained in connection with the blaze and the authorities have opened a criminal investigation, according to local media. However, the authorities did not immediately confirm that the blaze was caused by arson. The man was due to appear before court on Tuesday.

"This is devastating news it's a terrible and devastating event" President Cyril Ramaphosa speaking at @ParliamentofRSA following the fire that broke out this morning pic.twitter.com/14ZKZjw5Wt

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) January 2, 2022

"It is alleged that he gained entrance through the window in one of the offices," spokesperson Nomthandazo Mbambo told eNCA television. He added that authorities were looking into how the suspect had managed to evade security.

A union representative also claimed security guards were not on duty when the fire started early on Sunday, because of cost cutting directives.

Sprinkler system failed

The Parliament complex houses many unique historical artifacts, including rare books and the original copy of the former Afrikaans national anthem. It is also the home of the 120-meter (roughly 390-foot) Keiskamma tapestry which shows the history of South Africa from the earliest indigenous peoples to the end of the Apartheid era in 1994. Cape Town security commissioner Jean-Pierre Smith said "nothing" was left of the section where the tapestry was located.

He also told news channel eNCA that the electricity and ventilation systems failed to shut off during the fire. Separately, President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters that the sprinkler system apparently failed.

It was not immediately clear if the issues were the result of poor maintenance or deliberate tampering.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis also offered city venues for lawmakers to continue their work, describing the fire as a "national tragedy."

Source: DW