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South Africa parliament fire flares up again New fire at South Africa's parliament 'contained'
(about 3 hours later)
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Watch: Fire crews had to call reinforcements to fight the blaze at the parliament building Watch: Fire crews had to call reinforcements to fight the blaze at the parliament building on Monday
A devastating fire which swept through South Africa's parliament in Cape Town reignited just hours after it was said to be under control. A fire that devastated South Africa's parliament in Cape Town has been contained after it reignited on Monday, city officials say.
Flames were seen billowing from the building's roof on Monday, as firefighters tried to douse the blaze.
The fire first broke out on Sunday and completely destroyed the National Assembly, or lower chamber.The fire first broke out on Sunday and completely destroyed the National Assembly, or lower chamber.
Police have arrested a suspect who will appear in court on Tuesday on charges of arson, housebreaking and theft. Strong winds caused smouldering wood in the roof to catch fire again on Monday, before firefighters doused the blaze.
Authorities had warned that flare-ups would be possible because of carpets and wooden floors in the building, with parliamentary spokesman Moloto Mathapo telling South Africa's TimesLive some firefighters had "worked throughout the night" to try and prevent further blazes. Police have arrested a suspect who is due to appear in court later on charges of arson, housebreaking and theft.
But just 12 firefighters were on site when the wind reignited wood above the National Assembly on Monday, according to news agency AFP. Despite reinforcements being sent, flames could still be seen emerging from the building as night fell. No casualties have been reported in the fire, but the damage to the parliament has shocked the nation.
An update from the city council at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT) said the building's fourth and fifth floors had been completely destroyed. It was not immediately clear if the blaze had been extinguished. Authorities had warned that flare-ups would be possible because of carpets and wooden floors in the building.
But just 12 firefighters were on site when the wind reignited wood above the National Assembly on Monday, according to news agency AFP.
Despite reinforcements being sent, flames could still be seen emerging from the building as night fell.
"The fire was fanned by a strong south-easterly wind but firefighters managed to contain the fire just before 12:00 last night," firefighters spokesman Jermaine Carelse told AFP.
On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa - who admitted the building's sprinkler system had not functioned properly - praised firefighters for responding to the "terrible and devastating event" in minutes.On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa - who admitted the building's sprinkler system had not functioned properly - praised firefighters for responding to the "terrible and devastating event" in minutes.
Government minister Patricia de Lille separately admitted that CCTV cameras were not being monitored at the time the initial fire started. Government minister Patricia de Lille separately admitted that CCTV cameras had not ben monitored at the time the initial fire started.
The chairperson of the upper chamber, Amos Masondo, said Sunday's fire had led to the "complete burning down" of the National Assembly chamber. Other areas of the parliamentary complex - parts of which date back to 1884 - were also badly damaged.The chairperson of the upper chamber, Amos Masondo, said Sunday's fire had led to the "complete burning down" of the National Assembly chamber. Other areas of the parliamentary complex - parts of which date back to 1884 - were also badly damaged.
The parliament is not currently in session because of the holidays, and no-one was injured.The parliament is not currently in session because of the holidays, and no-one was injured.
The building is home to thousands of treasures including historic books, photographs and important works of art, which officials said had been saved.The building is home to thousands of treasures including historic books, photographs and important works of art, which officials said had been saved.
There had been particular concern that the valuable Keiskamma Tapestry, which is 120m (394ft) long and documents South Africa's history, may have been damaged or destroyed.There had been particular concern that the valuable Keiskamma Tapestry, which is 120m (394ft) long and documents South Africa's history, may have been damaged or destroyed.
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Video shows black smoke coming from the roof of the building in Cape Town on SundayVideo shows black smoke coming from the roof of the building in Cape Town on Sunday
The Houses of Parliament in Cape Town are made up of three sections, with the oldest dating back to 1884. The newer sections built in the 1920s and 1980s house the National Assembly. The government is based in Pretoria. It is expected to be many months before the building can be used again.
Mr Ramaphosa on Sunday spoke of his sadness at "this destruction of the home of our democracy".
Parliament said "all efforts" would be made to limit any disruption to its work, but it is expected to be many months before the building can be used again.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the city's council chamber would be made available as an alternative place for parliament to meet.Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the city's council chamber would be made available as an alternative place for parliament to meet.
It was the second fire at the parliament in under a year. In March there was a fire caused by an electrical fault.
Last year, a wildfire ravaged part of the University of Cape Town's library, which was home to a unique collection of African archives.
The smoke from the blaze could be seen from several miles away