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The cause of the blaze is being investigated.
At least eleven classrooms have been destroyed after a fire gutted the Riverlea High School. Picture: Gauteng Education Department.
At least eleven classrooms have been destroyed after a fire gutted the Riverlea High School, west of Johannesburg.
It is understood that the blaze broke out just before 6pm Sunday evening.
Johannesburg Emergency Services Xolile Khumalo said the classrooms that caught fire are located on the old site/building.
“No injuries were reported during this incident and the cause of fire was not determined. We urge the residents of Johannesburg to take extra care of all electrical appliances. And to please report all incidents as soon as they occur.”
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane said he is “deeply saddened” by the incident.
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Matome spokesperson Steve Mabona said the eleven classrooms were burnt down along with their furniture.
“Of the affected classrooms, four of them were actively being used by Grade 8 learners, while the remainder were unoccupied. Furthermore, the entire boys’ toilet block was destroyed in the fire, which will affect all boy learners at the school.”
Mabona said the department is working urgently to ensure that learning continues with minimal disruption when schooling resumes on Monday, 5 May 2025.
“A temporary plan has been put in place to use the school hall for affected learners while arrangements are being finalised for the delivery of 4 mobile classrooms, fully furnished, to replace the lost classrooms.”
Mabona added that the rest of the school’s infrastructure remains intact and operations for other grades will continue without significant challenges.
“Approximately 230 learners are directly impacted by the aftermath of this fire, and every effort is being made to normalise the situation swiftly.”
Chiloane condemned the incident, “an attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country,” he said, adding that such acts must be treated with the “utmost seriousness”.
“We appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident to assist law enforcement in their investigations. We remain committed to supporting the Riverlea High School community and will provide further updates as the situation develops,” Chiloane said.
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