BUILDING FIRE

Residential building in Johannesburg CBD on fire. Image: @PublicSafetyMMC

Domestic dispute leads to JHB CBD deadly building fire

Early breakthrough in investigation of building fire which broke out on Sunday morning in Johannesburg CBD

BUILDING FIRE

Residential building in Johannesburg CBD on fire. Image: @PublicSafetyMMC

A woman has been arrested in connection to a building fire that claimed two lives in the Johannesburg CBD on Sunday.

Speaking to the Newzroom Afrika, witnesses say they saw the woman with an accelerant around 4am threatening to set the place alight.

ONE PERSON ARRESTED FOR FIRE

ALSO READ: Building fire claims two lives in Joburg CBD

ALSO READ: Building fires: City of Joburg MMC calls for safety checks

The eyewitness who is also one of the affected residents says the woman had been in a domestic dispute with her partner.

The woman has been taken in for questioning and faces charges of arson.

DEFINITELY A HIJACKED BUILDING

Speaking to media on the scene, City of Johannesburg City Manager Flloyd Brink the gutted building is most certainly a hijacked building.

“Bad buildings have been a problem for us in the City of Johannesburg: said Brink.

ALSO READ: Johannesburg building fires, have Gone TOO FAR?

ALSO READ: Minister Lindiwe Zulu blames Apartheid for deadly Joburg CBD building fire

Last year, the matter of hijacked buildings in the City was thrust in the spotlight after a deadly fire broke out at Osindiso Building in August claiming the lives of at least 76 people.

Brink also revealed that the EMS’ swift response was all thanks to the City’s surveillance systems without the need for residents to make the call.

“What we can indicate to you is that it took about 10 minutes or so for our teams to be on-site in order for them to start extinguishing the fire.”

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLES BY APHIWE NGWENYA