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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 on Monday | |
A fire that devastated South Africa's parliament in Cape Town has been contained after it reignited on Monday, city officials say. | |
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. |
Strong winds caused smouldering wood in the roof to catch fire again on Monday, before firefighters doused the blaze. | |
Police have arrested a suspect who is due to appear in court later on charges of arson, housebreaking and theft. | |
No casualties have been reported in the fire, but the damage to the parliament has shocked the nation. | |
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 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 Sunday | Video shows black smoke coming from the roof of the building in Cape Town on Sunday |
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. |