---
title: "Fire rips through Free State premier’s house, causes millions in damage"
description: "A fire at the official residence of new Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwane is estimated to have caused millions of rands in damage, which may include expensive antique furniture and paintings."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "BLOEMFONTEIN BLAZE"
author: "Cathy Dlodlo"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/cathy-dlodlo/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-23-fire-rips-through-free-state-premiers-house-millions-in-damage/"
published: "2023-03-23T14:57:25"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 232
---

# Fire rips through Free State premier’s house, causes millions in damage

> A fire at the official residence of new Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwane is estimated to have caused millions of rands in damage, which may include expensive antique furniture and paintings.

By Cathy Dlodlo · Published 23 March 2023, 16:57 SAST

## Key points
- The Free State House was engulfed in flames on Thursday morning, but no one was injured in the incident. The main house, which had been undergoing renovations by the Department of Public Works, suffered extensive damage before the fire was brought under control. Read more in Daily Maverick for more news, analysis and investigations into how this happened.
- Fire brigade received a call at 9am on Thursday and needed back-up to bring the fire under control
- No one was injured in the fire, but the main house was affected and the roof had collapsed
- Free State department of public works had been renovating the main house prior to the fire
- Police forensic team were at work on the scene, media not allowed until after fire was brought under control

## Content

Mangaung Metro spokesperson Qondile Khedama said the fire brigade got a call just after 9am on Thursday. “When the first team arrived, they realised they needed back-up,” he explained. More trucks and fire and rescue vehicles were then sent to the scene. About two hours later the fire had been brought under control.

The premier’s spokesperson, Sello Dithebe, said no one was injured in the fire. He confirmed the roof had collapsed. By early afternoon authorities were still on the scene.

https://www.facebook.com/100004048638140/videos/pcb.2997219460422979/1233494090925246

He confirmed to *Daily Maverick* that the Free State department of public works had been renovating the main house.

The premises comprise the main house and a guesthouse. Dithebe said only the main house was affected. Public works would assess the damage and issue a report.

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The premier, who was inaugurated in February, had not moved into the Free State House yet.

*Read more in*Daily Maverick:*“*[*Free State chair Dukwana gets ANC Top Seven nod for premiership after embattled Ntombela’s exit*](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-22-free-state-chair-dukwana-gets-anc-top-7-nod-for-premiership/)*”*

The media were not allowed on the scene for hours after the fire was extinguished because the police forensic team was at work.

Dukwana stepped into the shoes of outgoing premier Sisi Ntombela, who resigned last month. She failed to be elected into the ANC’s party’s provincial structure following an assessment of her performance. **DM**