Spokesman Jonathan Fonati Koffa questioned by police

Liberia’s embattled speaker of the House of Representatives was questioned by police after a major fire in the West African country’s parliament.

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

The flames destroyed the entire chambers of Parliament, but no one was in the building at the time.

Four people, including Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa and MP Frank Saah Foko, were brought in for questioning, said Liberia’s police chief Gregory Colman.

The fire came a day after plans to remove Koffa from his role as speaker sparked violent protests.

Several protesters were arrested during Tuesday’s protests, including an adviser to former President George Weah.

Rep. Foko, a prominent figure in the House of Representatives, reportedly uploaded a video to Facebook in which he said: “If they want us to burn down the chambers, we will burn them down.”

Police Chief Coleman said: “Representative Foko threatened to burn down the common chambers and just a day later it was burnt down. That’s why he has to clarify his statement.”

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

Neither Foko nor Koffa have publicly responded to Coleman’s comments.

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

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

There is a power struggle in Liberia’s House of Representatives, with a faction of MPs claiming to have ousted and replaced Speaker Koffa.

Another group has pushed back against the action, calling it unconstitutional.

A Supreme Court ruling failed to resolve the internal dispute.