Local reports began to emerge this morning, January 2 concerning a fire that appeared to be at Parliament in Cape Town.
Fire at Parliament in Cape Town as seen from Table Mountain pic.twitter.com/AS4djLJa1N
— Rowan Spazzoli (@rspazzoli) January 2, 2022
Fire happening in Cape Town this morning – looks like it may be near parliament @ewnreporter pic.twitter.com/8UzhAXaQ2Q
— Natasha Edwards (@Natoooshka) January 2, 2022
Smoke bellowing out of downtown Cape Town. Flames look awfully close to St. George‘s Cathedral #capetownfire pic.twitter.com/pU7HKVFXCL
— Calvin D. Ullrich (@CalvinUllrich) January 2, 2022
Cape Town Fire & Rescue confirmed that the fire is indeed at Parliament building after speaking to Cape {town} Etc, and stated that firefighters have been deployed and are currently at the scene.
Fire at Parliament in Cape Town. Fire marshals now on the scene. @PresidencyZA pic.twitter.com/GQYHxcYk40
— RB (@RoshBardien) January 2, 2022
The number of firefighters has grown from an initial two to over 36.
Initial reports expressed that the fire started in the office space of the building as per News24.
The National Assembly building is covered in smoke according to onlookers. However, according to Patricia de Lille, the smoke was actually coming from the Old Assembly building.
A section of The Company’s Gardens have been closed off since – right next to where Archbishop Desmond Tutu was laid to rest yesterday. Several roads in the surrounding areas have been closed off:
- Plein Street at Roeland
- Commercial and Roeland closed at Hope Street,
- St. John’s Street closed at Vrede Street
- Commercial closed at Buitenkant Street.
The Houses of Parliament consist of three buildings with the oldest completed almost 200 years ago in 1884.
The flames have been intense as the bitumen on the roof is evening melting according to spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
De Lille expressed that the situation is under control for the time being. The fire has been contained in the chambers of the National Council of Provices. It is still in the National Assembly chambers.
This is a developing story.
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Picture: @naude_heunis