Liberian speaker questioned by police over fire in parliament

The speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives is being questioned by police following a major fire at the West African country's legislature.

Residents of the capital Monrovia woke up Wednesday morning to see thick black smoke and flames rising from the Capitol building.

The flames destroyed all the common rooms of the legislature, but no one was in the building at the time.

Four people, including President Jonathan Fonati Koffa and representative Frank Saah Foko, have been brought in for questioning, Liberia police chief Gregory Colman said.

The fire happened a day after plans to remove Koffa from his post as speaker sparked fierce protests.

Several demonstrators, including a supporter of former President George Weah, were arrested during the protest on Tuesday.

Rep. Foko, a prominent figure in the House of Representatives, reportedly posted a video on Facebook in which he said: “If they want us to burn the rooms, we will burn it.”

Police chief Coleman said: “Representative Foko threatened to burn the Chambers together and just a day later, he was shot. So he needs to clarify his statement.”

Coleman said Koffa will also have to explain a Facebook post he made during the protests.

Neither Foko nor Koffa publicly responded to Coleman's comments.

The government has offered a $5,000 (£3,900) reward for more information about the fire.

President Joseph Boakai has expressed disappointment over the incident and ordered the security agencies to investigate.

The Liberian House of Representatives has been embroiled in a power struggle, in which a group of lawmakers are claiming that Speaker Koffa has been removed and replaced.

Another group has opposed the measure, saying it is unconstitutional.

The High Court ruling failed to resolve the internal dispute.