Emotional scenes at JHB firemen’s memorial service

The firemen lost their lives exactly a week ago when an inferno engulfed the top floors of the Lisbon Bank building in the CBD.

Members of the Johannesburg Emergency Services, metro police, paramedics and various private and public sector security companies gathered at the Bank of Lisbon building to honour the lives of three fighters who died while battling a blaze in the city centre. Picture: Christa Eybers/EWN

Mia Lindeque | 339 days ago

JOHANNESBURG - Firefighters and emergency personnel are at the Ellis Park Arena where the official memorial service is now underway for their three colleagues who died trying to extinguish the blaze at the Lisbon Bank building.

The firemen lost their lives exactly a week ago when the inferno engulfed the top floors of the building in the CBD.

It’s since emerged the structure failed to meet safety standards.

WATCH: Memorial service for firefighters killed in CBD fire

Earlier, mourners visited the building to remember the three fallen firefighters.

Uniformed firefighters wearing bulky gear wiped away the tears, standing at the scene where three of their colleagues lost their lives.

Family members laid down red roses at the foot of the three steel crosses, some wailing and sobbing while being comforted by others.

After the ceremony, firefighters embraced one another, trying to console those who worked alongside the victims.

Many of the firefighters who battled the blaze last week were not even on duty but grabbed their gear without thinking twice.

#FireFightersMemorial The crowd continues to grow here at the Ellis Park Arena. [KS] pic.twitter.com/lWGGm0cP99
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 12, 2018

#FireFightersMemorial Set to begin at the Ellis Park Arena to honour the three brave fighter fighters who lost their lives during the fire which engulfed the Bank of Lisbon building in Joburg CBD last week. [KS] pic.twitter.com/uSjeFNcSC3
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 12, 2018

#JoburgFire Firefighters and emergency services singing in front of the building as more people are starting to arrive. CE pic.twitter.com/TI4uCPKWTJ
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 12, 2018

#JoburgFire Roads are closed around the building as the wreath laying will get underway soon. CE pic.twitter.com/gZh4IR8Hmo
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 12, 2018

Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi at the #FireFightersMemorial pic.twitter.com/b06119UDbU
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 12, 2018

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