Parliament fire damage

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)

Parliament Fire damage report: Chambers gutted, ceilings have collapsed

This is… not good. The fire that has ripped through Parliament on Sunday will leave some long-lasting damage to the iconic site.

Parliament fire damage

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.

Parliament Fire: Damage report leaves a sinking feeling

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.

National Assembly ‘gutted’ by blaze

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 entire parliamentary complex has been ‘severely damaged’ – due to waterlogging and smoke clouds.
  • Meanwhile, the National Assembly chamber is ‘gutted’, and the ceiling here has completely collapsed.
  • The Old Assembly roof is now ‘completely gone’, with nearby offices ‘totally destroyed’.
  • A gym area in the complex has also been damaged beyond repair.
  • As revealed by JP Smith, a ‘crime scene investigation team is also probing the fire:

“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