Protesters surged passed police lines Thursday and broke into Burkina Faso's parliament ahead of a vote to allow the president to seek another term next year.
Smoke could be seen coming from the building. Earlier, police had pushed the crowds back with tear gas, but they regrouped in larger numbers and broke into the building.
Earlier thousands of protesters swarmed the streets of the capital of this West African country. Burkina Faso is typically known for relative stability and economic growth in a volatile region, but tensions have been rising ahead of a vote on a bill that would amend the constitution and allow President Blaise Compaore to run for election again next year.
The protesters say that 27 years in power is enough for Compaore. The measure had looked likely to pass, but the protesters vowed not to let lawmakers into the building on Thursday.
They initially failed, and many lawmakers appeared to be able to reach the chamber.
But the protesters mounted another push and eventually made it into the building. They are now saying they will march on other government buildings in the capital, Ouagadougou.