Over 50 confirmed dead in multi-storey building fire in Johannesburg

A devastating fire tore through a multi-storey residential building in central Johannesburg, leaving over 50 people dead and dozens more injured. The tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning, casting a shadow of sorrow over the city as emergency services battled to contain the inferno.

The five-storey building located in the heart of Marshalltown became the site of a catastrophic blaze that has left the community in shock. Firefighters and first responders rushed to the scene to combat the flames and rescue occupants from the burning structure. However, the scale and intensity of the fire made the task exceptionally challenging.

Authorities report that the fire's exact origin remains unclear, leaving investigators to piece together the sequence of events that led to this devastating disaster. According to witnesses, the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the building in thick smoke and flames before many residents could escape. Firefighters displayed incredible courage as they worked tirelessly to bring out survivors and quell the flames that threatened neighboring structures.

One official, speaking to the BBC, described the building as "gutted" by the fire, highlighting the immense destruction wrought by the blaze. Despite the valiant efforts of the emergency services, the search for additional victims is ongoing, with fears that the death toll could rise as the building is carefully searched.

The Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda, is scheduled to visit the scene later this morning at 09:30 local time. He is expected to meet with survivors, families of the victims, and emergency responders, offering support and solidarity during this heart-wrenching time.

GA