Firefighters battle new blaze at South African parliament, suspect charged with arson

FILE PHOTO: Firefighters work after a fire broke out in the Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, January 2, 2022. Elmond Jiyane/GCIS/Handout via REUTERS

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) -A new blaze broke out on Monday at the complex housing the two chambers of South Africa's national parliament in Cape Town, one day after a devastating fire swept through the buildings.

"The fire and rescue service confirms that the fire at parliament has flared up. The void beneath the roof sheeting of the National Assembly is on fire," a spokesman for the city's fire services said on Monday afternoon.