Joburg emergency services
2 die, including 1-year-old toddler, in Alexandra informal dwelling fire
It is understood 20 structures on Saturday were gutted in the blaze along 8th avenue.
The cold front is expected to tighten its grip on the province on Friday.
The Western Cape is cold and wet on Monday morning, while Gauteng is bracing for maximum temperatures of between 15 and 18 degrees on Tuesday.
It’s been over a year since the tragic Bank of Lisbon fire and firefighters are still dealing with the trauma after three of their colleagues died. EWN spoke to two firefighters, on condition of anonymity, about the tragedy and how their mental health has been affected.
Joburg Emergency Services said that the Labour Court has affirmed it followed the correct procedures when suspending over 200 firefighters over an unprotected strike.
Eyewitness News is in possession of suspension letters listing the names of firefighters under investigation.
Eyewitness News visited the old Johannesburg Central fire station and discovered that firefighters were staying in the building which was declared unsafe last year. The City of Johannesburg are aware of this as the firefighters are paying rent to them. EWN can also reveal that 231 of Johannesburg's firefighters have been suspended for participating in an illegal strike. But three of the firefighters deny this, saying that they were only abiding by the rules of the National Health Act, which stipulates that they need to be accompanied by a supervisor when called out to a scene. The identities of the firefighters have been protected.
The cause of the blaze will now be investigated by the police.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services announced the suspension after an ambulance was attacked over the weekend.
The residents have criticised the City of Johannesburg for not just suspending ambulance services to the community but also for poor service delivery.
EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said ambulance crews will only enter the area once it’s safe to do so.
Temperatures have peaked at highs of 35 degrees in some parts of the city.
Joburg Emergency Service Nana Radebe says they will continue putting their lives on line to save those in danger.
The blaze started on Wednesday on the 23rd floor of the building which houses the Departments of Health, Human Settlements and Cogta.
The Millbo Paper factory went up in flames just after five o clock this morning - the cause is not yet known.
Earlier this week, the City of Johannesburg admitted that there were not enough fire engines, saying the issue was being urgently addressed.
There have been numerous complaints from residents about the lack of fire trucks in the city.
Preliminary investigations have revealed an unattended candle caused the fire in the early hours of Monday morning.
the building has been evacuated and no injuries or fatalities have been reported.