South African police have charged a man with arson in connection with a fire that engulfed the country's national parliament building in Cape Town, as firefighters battled to extinguish the blaze's final remnants.

The fire broke out early Sunday at the parliamentary complex, which comprises the National Assembly, or Lower House of Parliament, and dates back to 1884.

It resulted in the roof's collapse containing the upper chamber and the destruction of an entire floor, albeit no one was reported injured in the fire.

According to one government minister, the fire was "a very sad day for democracy."

A 49-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the blaze is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday on accusations of housebreaking and theft, as well as arson, according to a statement from an elite police squad known as the Hawks.

"He allegedly entered through a window in one of the offices," Hawks spokesperson Nomthandazo Mbambo told eNCA television. "There is a possibility that additional charges will be added in light of the security breach here."

Jean-Pierre Smith, a Cape Town municipal committee in charge of safety and security, said firemen were still battling "hotspots on the 4th floor of the National Assembly that are still smoldering" on Monday.

"Numerous books and bookcases are smoldering," he said, adding that the National Assembly's interior had been substantially harmed by fire, water, heat, and smoke.