Fire rips through large government building in South Africa’s Eastern Cape

A major fire tore through a landmark government building in eastern South Africa, disrupting services for more than a dozen departments and destroying what local officials described as an important part of the region’s history, according to local authorities and media reports.

The fire broke out at the Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha, a city in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, at about 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to local outlet Inside Politics.

The O.R. Tambo District Municipality said its fire department responded after the blaze was reported by members of the public. No injuries have been reported.

Footage from the scene showed flames consuming most floors of the large multi-story building as emergency crews worked outside.

Inside Politics reported that the fire began on the fourth floor and spread through the building, which houses more than 11 government departments, including offices tied to health, education, agriculture and rural development.

The O.R. Tambo District Municipality said emergency teams were at the scene working to contain the fire and protect surrounding areas. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Local mayor Goodman Nelani said the loss would have a direct effect on government services in the region, according to Inside Politics.

“It is a sad day, and we have lost our landmark as the municipality,” Nelani said. “We have lost the major building which is hosting a lot of people that are working in this region, which will take government some time for us to stabilise the delivery from all the departments working in this building.”