73 die, 52 injured as fire guts five-storey building in South Africa

No fewer than 73 people, including children, have been confirmed dead after a fire engulfed a five-storey building in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Another 52 were injured, some suffering from smoke inhalation, and were taken for treatment at local hospitals.

Confirming the incident in the early hours of Thursday, August 31, 2023, South African Emergency Management Services spokesman, Robert Mulaudzi, said: “We have now 73 fatalities and 52 people injured who were transported to various healthcare facilities for further medical care.”

At least seven children were among those killed by the flames, in what is on track to become one of the deadliest fires worldwide in recent years.

The youngest victim was less than two years old, Mulaudzi said, adding that some were burnt beyond recognition.

Firefighters at the scene have put out the flames and are “busy with damping down”, while search and recovery operations are ongoing, Mulaudzi said.

He added: “We are moving floor by floor conducting these body recoveries.

“It is indeed a sad day for the city of Johannesburg… over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this.”

It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze, which broke out overnight.

A member of the city’s mayoral committee in charge of public safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, said candles used for lighting inside the structure were a likely cause.

The building, which has been evacuated, is located in a deprived area of what used to be the business district of South Africa’s economic hub and was used as an informal settlement, Mulaudzi said, suggesting many may have been squatting there illegally.

Tshwaku said: “Inside the building itself there was a (security) gate which was closed so people couldn’t get out.

“Many burned bodies were found stashed at that gate.”

Fire trucks and ambulances were parked outside the red and white building with burned-out windows which has been cordoned off by police, as a small crowd of onlookers gathered in the area.

The Star

Segun Ojo