Deadly Joburg CBD fire: Building abandoned, informal settlement erected inside - Mulaudzi

JOHANNESBURG - The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) says a building that went up in flames in the CBD on Sunday morning was an abandoned building, where occupants erected an informal settlement inside.

A fire broke out in the three-storey building in the early hours of Sunday morning in Jeppestown claiming the lives of four people.

Three more people were treated in nearby hospitals for injuries and smoke inhalation.

The blaze, which gutted the building has since been contained, leaving scores of people homeless.

Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the fire may have been caused by illegal electricity connections.

“At this stage, the cause of the fire is believed to be illegal connections, this is an abandoned building, they are using all sorts of material to try and divide this building, using partitions, sheet metals to create space to live so that they can be able to live in buildings like this.”

Mulaudzi added that they would be handing over the building to the South African Police Service for further investigation.