Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A fire that caused severe damage to Cameroon's Parliament building was not intentionally set, authorities said Friday.
The fire started Thursday night at the legislative center in Yaoundé and ravaged four levels of the building, officials said.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon's minister of communication, refuted claims that the blaze was a case of arson.
"Going by the evidence we have today, the fire was an accident," Bakary said. "I would like to reassure the public that all national experts are working to assess the damage and give more details on the origin of the fire."
The fire occurred two days after the third ordinary session of the Cameroon national assembly.
Authorities said a large part of the building was heavily damaged by the flames.
Fire officials are looking for the cause. No injuries were reported.
