Upon seing the fire, the Chairman of House of Representatives’ Rules, Orders and administration, Byron Brown immediately informed his colleagues at the Senate and then ordered that the power in the building be shut down.

The Senate, which was reading a communication from the Minister of Health and Social Welfare-designate, Bernice Dahn, then postponed regular session.
Speaking with reporters, one of the long serving electricians at the Capitol Building, Joseph Benson said the act must have been caused by revengeful insiders, who he assumed may have had some issues with the lawmakers.

“I have spent close to 19 years at the Capitol Building. This is not the first time for fire to break in the building,” reminded Benson.
The elderly electrician recalled that another attempt was made a few days ago at the joint chambers, where electricians did not find any electrical fault.
This is the same thing that happened today. The person lighted the fire on this old central air-cools area and took the fire to the ceiling of the chambers,” he told newsmen.

“The place the fire gutted has been closed for the longest but was surprised to have seen unknown person attempting to set the [same] area ablaze. I did not see anyone entering the area but what I think is that someone did this,” he added.
However, Benson said it was possible for lawmakers to resume their regular working session as wires in the building were untouched and intact.