MP’s have been told the National Assembly suffered severe structural damage, concrete floors have crumbled, mosquitos are breeding in millions of litres of water that still remains in the flooded lower basement, and there are fears that a rotten egg smell through the new assembly is caused by highly flammable hydrogen sulphide.

These are just some of the findings of engineers from the Coega Development Corporation which on Friday presented their initial assessment of the damage caused by the fire that ravaged Parliament on 2 January.

The Corporation was appointed by the Public Works and Infrastructure Department to assess the fire damage and develop a renovation plan.

The presentation was led by Christo Beukes, the programme manager.

Beukes revealed that:

• There is “severe structural damage to the central concrete structure of the National Assembly from the 2nd floor to the 6th floor;
• The temperature in the National Assembly entrance lobby reached an estimated 900ºC. As a result metal ducting and copper wiring melted;
• Heat generated when the massive wooden speaker’s podium went up in flames caused “extremely significant damage” to the concrete floor above it;
• Floors sagged by as much as 70mm as concrete slabs crumbled, and walls were left with cracks of about 30mm;
• The lower basement was found to be flooded to a depth of more than 1.7m with an estimated 4.2-million litres of water. “Huge breeding of mosquitoes” took place in the water;
• There are fears that a rotten-egg smell through the new assembly building is caused by highly flammable hydrogen sulphide.

The water is currently being pumped into the City’s sewer system.

Once the basement is accessible, Beukes says the smell of gas would be investigated and remedied, and debris will be removed from the destroyed roof.

A 1.8-metre security hoarding is to be built around the National Assembly.

Coega’s next job is to produce a detailed assessment of the damage, which will cover the residual strength of the structure of the uninsured buildings as well as proposals and cost estimates for repairs.

Also read:

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the work of Parliament will continue despite the devastating fire that broke out, in the historic complex yesterday.

The State alleges suspected fire starter wanted to ‘destroy’ Parliament

IN PICS: Parliament fire causes significant damage, 49 year old man to appear in court tomorrow