#BREAKING: Firefighters are battling a large fire that has ripped through the Houses of Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa
"There have been reports of some walls showing cracks, which could indicate a collapse” Jermaine Carelse, of CT fire service
“Looks like they have the Cape Town parliament fire almost under control. Can’t make out the huge flames anymore. It’s mainly smoke. One smaller section seems to still be burning though.” @jasminbauomy
Footage taken earlier by @RoshBardien #CapeTown
This footage via @Lisaleesolomon1 shows the scale of the fire in the Parliament building in Cape Town, with smoke obscuring Lion’s Head in the background
Earlier footage🖕via @SISONKE_MD #CapeTownFire #CapeTown #SouthAfrica
"The roof has caught fire & the National Assembly building is also on fire," spokesman for emergency services
The neo-Classical parliament building was granted permission by Queen Victoria in 1853 & completed in 1884, with additions in the 1920s & 1980s
#BREAKING “The emergency services have the fire under control”
Minister @PatriciaDeLille briefs journalists outside Parliament in Cape Town
The fire rptdly began in an office in the Old Assembly Building
The cause is unknown
There have been no injuries
“If this was an attack on democracy, Parliament must ensure it doesn’t win”
The fire that "completely gutted" the main chamber of South Africa's parliament is thought to have been arson
A suspect (49), who had to be rescued from the fire, was arrested & faces charges of arson.
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