Marshall Islands parliament destroyed in overnight fire

Fire has destroyed the national parliament of the Marshall Islands, fire and police officials in the Pacific Island nation have announced, adding the blaze had since been put out.

The Marshall Islands Fire Department on Tuesday said half of the parliament building, known as the Nitijela, had been burnt down in a fire that broke out overnight.

The remaining structure cannot be used, a police official told Reuters, confirming the parliament had been destroyed.

A fire truck had responded to the blaze, he said.

The Pacific archipelago, midway between Hawaii and Australia, has a population of around 42,000, with half living in the capital Majuro.

Its major diplomatic relationships are a compact of free association with the United States, which provides economic assistance in return for military access, and diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.

President Hilda Heine's spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.