By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Liberia’s Parliament building was engulfed in flames following a demonstration by the opposition, which entered its second day on Wednesday.
Emergency service agencies rushed to the scene of the inferno, struggling to bring it under control.
The fire destroyed the entire joint chambers of the legislature, but no one was in the building at the time.
The cause of the fire in the capital, Monrovia, could not be independently verified, as authorities have yet to provide details.
President Joseph Boakai visited the scene and ordered an investigation into the incident, condemning the “wanton destruction in this country.”
The protest is in response to plans to remove the Speaker of Parliament, Konati Koffa, a member of the opposition who is facing corruption allegations.
Demonstrators are also calling for President Boakai to step down.
Police on Tuesday arrested dozens of protesters, including an aide to former President George Weah, and fired tear gas to disperse crowds.
This is the second time in a week that the parliament building has caught fire, but reports suggest there is no indication that it is connected to the protests.
Liberia’s House of Representatives has been beset by a power struggle, with one faction of lawmakers claiming to have removed and replaced Speaker Koffa.
Another group has resisted the action, calling it unconstitutional.
