Estimated time of extinguishing M1 highway fire unclear while surrounds brave power cuts

JOHANNESBURG - Efforts to extinguish a fire on the M1 highway continue as emergency service officials attempt to put out the blaze.

The fire, which has been raging since the early hours of Wednesday morning, has led to the route closure.

Officials have no indication when the blaze believed to have been started by vandals will die out.

Braamfontein is covered with a cloud of thick smoke as efforts to extinguish the fire on the M1 continue.

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Traffic has been diverted to other routes and vehicles are moving at a snail's pace.

Power supply has been affected in the busy student hub, Newtown and Parktown. 

Joburg City Power can’t confirm when electricity will be restored in the affected areas, saying this can only be established once the fire is extinguished.

Meanwhile, the Johannesburg Roads Agency said it’s satisfied with the bridge's structural integrity.