JOHANNESBURG Oct 6 Sapa

The Pretoria Magistrate's Court was closed on Tuesday when a
second fire broke out in a courtroom, this time under a
magistrate's chair, the Tshwane municipality said.

It was the second fire reported in the same courthouse in two
days.

"The fire was on the fourth floor in courtroom 1," said
municipal spokesman Console Tleane.

"It started somewhere underneath the magistrate's chair and his
bench and table were completely burnt out."

The building was evacuated. Tleane praised firefighters for
containing the flames within 30 minutes of arrival.

"We had to force open certain doors for ventilation and the
court is now closed until further notice."

During the investigation, the possibility of arson would not be
ruled out.

"Given the questionable nature of this whole thing, we cannot
say it is arson, however we do not rule it out."

Nobody was injured.

Gauteng justice department head Emily Dhlamini said the cause of
the fire was unknown and a probe was underway.

On Monday a fire broke out in the basement storeroom where
papers and furniture were kept. Fifteen people, including 12
prisoners and two firemen, were treated for smoke inhalation.



Source : Sapa /ma/th
Date : 06 Oct 2009 16:57 OrigID : LP350176