A fire breaks out in a parliament building in Cape Town, South Africa

Firefighters are battling a blaze at South Africa’s national Parliament Building in Cape Town.

 

The fire started in the early hours of Sunday morning in the third-floor offices and spread to the National Assembly chamber, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse told local media.

 

JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the national assembly building was on fire and flames had spread to the roof.

 

The alarm was raised at 5 am and Smith said initial reports indicated the fire started in office space on the third floor and spread toward the gymnasium.