IN PICS: Three-year anniversary of the Bank of Lisbon fire tragedy
The memorial service for firefighters Simphiwe Moropana, Mduduzi Ndlozi and Khathutshelo Muedi at Ellis Park arena in Johannesburg, 12 September 2018. Picture: Neil McCartney
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Three years ago, almost to the day, a fire broke out at the Bank of Lisbon, the building formerly used by the Gauteng Health Department as head offices.
The fire started on the 23rd floor of the building on 5 September 2018, and raged for three days.
Three firefighters, Simphiwe Moropane, Mduduzi Ndlovu and Khathutshelo Muedi, lost their lives while trying to douse the fire.
On November 24 2019, the 31-storey building, a staple in the Johannesburg skyline, was demolished. This after the fire caused severe damage to the slabs of the burnt floors, and posed a threat of collapsing if left to its own devices.
A few days after the fire, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said evidence pointed towards the Gauteng government wilfully ignoring multiple warnings about the unsafe nature of the building for years.
It emerged at the time that at least 10 of the building’s 24 floors were non-compliant before the fire, and should have been evacuated. The lack of water was also said to have been a major factor that hindered firefighting efforts, and contributed to the deaths of three firefighters.
Below are some iconic photographs captured by The Citizen photographer Neil McCartney on 5 and 6 September 2018, and and again on 12 September 2018, for the wreath-laying ceremony of the fallen firefighters.
Firefighters continue to battle the fire in the Department of Health building in the Johannesburg CBD for the second day, 6 September 2018. Picture: Neil McCartney
Firefighters continue to battle the fire in the Department of Health building in the Johannesburg CBD for the second day, 6 September 2018. Picture: Neil McCartney
Firefighters continue to battle the fire in the Department of Health building in the Johannesburg CBD for the second day, 6 September 2018. Picture: Neil McCartney
The scene of a fire in the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Human Settlements building on Sauer street in the Johannesburg CBD, 5 September 2018.Picture: Neil McCartney
The police helicopter helping remove the stranded firefighters.
The scene of a fire in the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Human Settlements building on Sauer street in the Johannesburg CBD, 5 September 2018. The fire broke out on the top floors of the building and spread fast, a fire fighter fell to their death and two others died in the blaze. The police helicopter rescued some stranded firfighters from the roof during the operation. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
The police helicopter helping remove the stranded firefighters.
The scene of a fire in the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Human Settlements building on Sauer street in the Johannesburg CBD, 5 September 2018. The fire broke out on the top floors of the building and spread fast, a fire fighter fell to their death and two others died in the blaze. The police helicopter rescued some stranded firfighters from the roof during the operation. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
The body of the fire fighter that fell from the 23rd floor to their death.
The scene of a fire in the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Human Settlements building on Sauer street in the Johannesburg CBD, 5 September 2018. The fire broke out on the top floors of the building and spread fast, a fire fighter fell to their death and two others died in the blaze. The police helicopter rescued some stranded firefighters from the roof during the operation. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
The wreath laying ceremony at the Department of Health building in the Johannesburg CBD, 12 September 2018. The building was recently engulfed in fire on the top few floors and three fire fighters, Simphiwe Moropana, Mduduzi Ndlozi and Khathutshelo Muedi died during the incident. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
The memorial service at Ellis Park arena in Johannesburg, 12 September 2018. The building was recently engulfed in fire on the top few floors and three fire fighters, Simphiwe Moropana, Mduduzi Ndlozi and Khathutshelo Muedi died during the incident. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
The memorial service at Ellis Park arena in Johannesburg, 12 September 2018. The building was recently engulfed in fire on the top few floors and three fire fighters, Simphiwe Moropana, Mduduzi Ndlozi and Khathutshelo Muedi died during the incident. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
Fire fighters lay flowers during the wreath laying ceremony at the Department of Health building in the Johannesburg CBD, 12 September 2018. The building was recently engulfed in fire on the top few floors and three fire fighters, Simphiwe Moropana, Mduduzi Ndlozi and Khathutshelo Muedi died during the incident. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
Firefighters continue to battle the fire in the Department of Healt building in the Johannesburg CBD for the second day, 6 September 2018. Picture: Neil McCartney
Family members look on during the wreath laying ceremony at the Department of Health building in the Johannesburg CBD, 12 September 2018. The building was recently engulfed in fire on the top few floors and three fire fighters, Simphiwe Moropana, Mduduzi Ndlozi and Khathutshelo Muedi died during the incident. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
The body of the fire fighter that fell from the 23rd floor to their death.
The scene of a fire in the Gauteng Department of Health and the Department of Human Settlements building on Sauer street in the Johannesburg CBD, 5 September 2018. The fire broke out on the top floors of the building and spread fast, a fire fighter fell to their death and two others died in the blaze. The police helicopter rescued some stranded firfighters from the roof during the operation. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
Family members during the wreath laying ceremony at the Department of Health building in the Johannesburg CBD, 12 September 2018. The building was recently engulfed in fire on the top few floors and three fire fighters, Simphiwe Moropana, Mduduzi Ndlozi and Khathutshelo Muedi died during the incident. Picture: Neil McCartneymore
