CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 02: Louis Botha Statue at Parliament on January 02, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. It is reported that emergency services were notified of the blaze shortly after 05:00 and personnel from several fire stations have been deployed to contain the fire. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 02: Louis Botha Statue at Parliament on January 02, 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa. It is reported that emergency services were notified of the blaze shortly after 05:00 and personnel from several fire stations have been deployed to contain the fire. (Photo by Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)
The latest update from the Parliament Fire in Cape Town is not what we were hoping to hear on Sunday. Officials have confirmed that the blaze has caused significant damage to both the Old and National Assemblies, where ceilings have collapsed in some parts.
JP Smith, an official for the City of Cape Town, has revealed that the extent of the destruction caused goes beyond what was first feared. The roaring flames are still posing a challenge for firefighters, who estimate they won’t be able to quell the inferno for another few hours.
Crews fighting the fire that’s blazing in Parliament’s National Assembly are estimating that it will take at least another three to four hours to get the blaze under control. #ParliamentFire @Hot1027FM
— Hot 1027 News (@Hot1027News) January 2, 2022
Smith, who briefed the media just moments ago, brought us some very depressing news. Ceilings have collapsed, chambers have been gutted, and offices have suffered severe smoke damage. The list of structural casualties doesn’t make for light reading:
“The old chamber, it’s not possible to see the damage yet. There are so many historical artifacts there, but the fire is being smothered. There are now firefighters active on the second floor. All senior fire staff, up to 70 workers, are on the scene.”
“We also have a crime scene investigation team investigating. There are two very distinct areas where the fire is burning.”
JP Smith
This is a developing story and we will have more as it happens throughout Sunday