A fire is continuing to burn at the Free State Premier’s official house in Bloemfontein this morning (23/03). Firefighters in three trucks from the Mangaung Metro are already present, trying to extinguish the flames.
Dark smoke emitting from the flames is visible in the sky. It is unclear what caused the fire at the house at this stage.
Sello Dithebe, the Premier’s spokesperson, confirmed the outbreak of the fire. “We are unable to say what caused the fire at this stage,” says Dithebe. He says Kopung Ralikontsane, the provincial government director general, rushed to the Premier’s house following news about the outbreak.
According to the Free State government’s statement, the fire occurred in the main house and was detected at about 10:15. “However, the cause of the fire is not yet known, and it is being investigated,” the statement said. The house is under renovations at this stage.
Scores of surprised residents are standing around, watching as they are not allowed to enter the premises of the house. The story is developing and updates will follow.
