The five-storey building that was illegally occupied. Images: Twitter/@CityofJoburgZA.
Johannesburg fire: Death toll increases to 73, cause still unknown
The cause of the fire that tore through a hijacked building in Johannesburg CBD is not yet known, however, the death has increased to 73.
The five-storey building that was illegally occupied. Images: Twitter/@CityofJoburgZA.
The death toll in the fire that tore through a building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg has increased to 73.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Services confirmed that the fire broke out in the early hours on Thursday, 31 August.
JOHANNESBURG FIRE DEATH TOLL INCREASES
As previously reported by The South African, the fire occurred at a five-storey building on the corners of Alberts and Delvers streets in Marshalltown.
Over 50 people were treated for smoke inhalation and other various injuries.
ALSO READ: At least 63 killed in Johannesburg CBD fire – Death toll expected to rise
The City of Johannesburg Emergency Services said officials from Disaster Management have been activated to start facilitating relief for affected families.
ALSO READ: Tragic fire claims over 60 lives in Johannesburg
BUILDING ILLEGALLY OCCUPED
It has been stablished that the five-storey building was illegally occupied by mostly immigrants. Officials established that there are informal settlements inside the building.
City of Johannesburg Council Speaker Colleen Makhubele said there are NGOs that are determined to prevent the council from dealing with hijacked buildings especially in the inner city.
Recently Transport MMC Kenny Kunene conducted raids on hijacked buildings in the CBD in order to evict them from the illegally occupied buildings.
