A rumour circulating on social media that the paper results of Cameroon's recent presidential election had gone up in flames has been dismissed as fake news by a government spokesperson.

"It's a gross fake!" said Information Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary in a tweet, urging people not to share what he said was a fake document announcing the destruction of election paperwork in a supposed fire at the Yaoundé Conference Centre, known in French as the Palais des Congrès.

It appears that the plume of smoke seen on Thursday above the hills of the Cameroonian capital was indeed from the Yaoundé Conference Centre, but what was inside it at the time was an exhibition promoting studying abroad in France - not electional materials.

The news was confirmed by France's Ambassador to Cameroon Gilles Thibault, who added that no-one was hurt in the fire that was started by a burnt fuse and thanked the fire services for their "quick and efficient response".