Midrand apartment complex residents claim fire safety measures weren’t in place to prevent blaze

MIDRAND - Residents of the Broadwalk Urban Village complex in Midrand claimed fire safety measures were not in place to prevent the blaze that engulfed the building. 

The fire, which broke out on Tuesday night, left one person dead, over 100 families without a roof over their heads, and 130 apartment units damaged.

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Residents said that the building had no fire extinguishers, fire blankets, or sprinklers to stop the blaze from spreading. 

Displaced families have expressed anger after property managers offered just R5,000 per family following the blaze. 
 
Most residents have been left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing and their calls for more substantial assistance are growing louder.
 
Many gathered outside the charred remains of the building, criticising the lack of safety measures, calling it "bizarre" that such a large complex had no protections in place.
 
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said an investigation would look into whether the building was compliant with fire regulations.
 
"The compliance of the building will be investigated. We are not yet privy to its history, but we know it is now a residential building, and it will be thoroughly examined."