A fire broke out at Parliament’s Old Assembly building last night, affecting certain areas including several upper floor offices and committee rooms.
A fire broke out at Parliament’s Old Assembly building last night, affecting certain areas including several upper floor offices and committee rooms.
The fire started after 10pm and it is yet not clear exactly how many offices and rooms were affected or what caused the blaze.
Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says other floors were left flooded due to the fire sprinkler system.
“These affected areas, including certain parts of the lower floor not affected by fire, have been left flooded due to the activation of the fire sprinkler system. The rest of the Parliament building has not been affected.”
He added that an immediate response by the City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue services was able to successfully contain the fire.
“No person was injured. An investigation has been started to establish the cause of the fire and the extent of the damages caused to the parts of the Old Assembly building.”
The City’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says they received an emergency call at approximately 10:32pm of a building alight in Plein Street, Cape Town.
“Fire crews from Roeland Street, Salt River, Sea Point, Brooklyn and Milnerton were dispatched.
“Upon arrival, it was discovered the fire was in the roof void and crews managed to contain and extinguish the fire at 00:43. Portable pumps were used to drain the water from the basement and ground floor.
“The fire originated in a room of the National Assembly.”
“No injuries were reported and the exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined.”
It is not clear whether the fire will affect the daily proceedings of parliament
