At least four people have died and hundreds were left stranded after a fire engulfed an abandoned and hijacked building in the Jeppestown neighbourhood of Johannesburg on Sunday.
The three-story structure, which had been illegally occupied, caught fire in the early hours of the morning, leading to chaos and destruction.
According to Robert Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for the Johannesburg emergency services, at least three people were suffered from some smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital.
“We can also confirm that we recovered four bodies – they were confirmed dead on the scene,” Mulaudzi said.
The cause of the fire was being investigated, he said.
Residents said the blaze was likely caused by illegal electrical connections within the building.
The fire has left more than 400 people homeless as the building had become a makeshift shelter for those in need.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of abandoned and hijacked buildings in Johannesburg, which have become a growing concern for the city’s authorities.
These structures often lack proper safety and infrastructure, putting the lives of those who occupy them at risk.
Another abandoned building in the city also caught fire in August 2023, killing more than 70 people.
JN/APA