For illustration: Photo: iStock
A probe is underway to determine the cause of a fire that displaced more than 40 people after the blaze gutted their shacks inside a one-storey building in the Johannesburg CBD.
It is understood the fire broke out at the building in Jeppestown over the weekend.
Joburg emergency services spokesperson (EMS) Xolile Khumalo said the incident happened on Anderson and Maritzburg streets corner on Saturday around 7:20 pm.
“The building status is not available, but it is partitioned into shacks. All shacks inside the building were destroyed by fire, causing the roof to collapse. One person suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital by GPG.
“EMS is cautioning residents of Johannesburg to take care of all heating and cooking devices as the cold front slowly retreats,” Khumalo said.
This fire comes a month after four people died and three others were injured when a fire broke out in a hijacked building in the same area.
ALSO READ: Four dead in Jeppestown building fire [VIDEO]
The fire broke out at about 1 am at the building at the corner of Jannie and Jules Street in Jeppestown.
At the time, Joburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the fire may have started from an illegal connection.
Mulaudzi said one of the people who was injured jumped out of the building when it caught fire.
“We can confirm that firefighters have recovered four bodies while conducting search and recovery operations. We also have three patients who were treated for injuries and smoke inhalation. They were transported to the nearest healthcare facility for further medical care by Gauteng EMS paramedics.
“The building inside looks like an informal settlement, so we have to make sure we remove any uncertainty in terms of any other person who might still be unaccounted for,” Mulaudzi said.
The fire came a day after three people were injured and another killed in separate fire incidents in Joburg. The three people were injured after at least 36 shacks caught fire in Industria, Johannesburg.
ALSO READ: Three shops gutted by fire in Joburg CBD
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