Emergency services are battling to contain a fire that broke out with large flames and a huge column of smoke around 0530 GMT at the Parliament in Cape Town on Sunday morning.
Spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service Jermaine Carelse said various crews from different fire stations were on the scene trying to contain the blaze.
While eequesting reinforcements at the scene, a spokesman for the city’s emergency services said
“The roof has caught fire and the National Assembly building is also on fire.”
“The fire is not under control and cracks in the walls of the building have been reported,” he added.
There was no indication of what may have caused the fire.
The Houses of Parliament in Cape Town consist of three sections, including the original and oldest building that was completed in 1884.
The newer additions constructed in the 1920s and 1980s house the National Assembly.In April 2021, a fire ravaged part of The University of Cape Town’s library housing a unique collection of African archives.
