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Joburg CBD Blaze: Woman in Custody as Fire Claims Two Lives in Residential Building
Tragedy struck on Sunday morning as a woman was apprehended for allegedly igniting a fire at a residential building in the Joburg CBD, claiming the lives of two individuals. Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba confirmed the arrest, shedding light on the grim incident.
The fire, which erupted at Commissioner and Nugget streets in the CBD, resulted in the death of two people, with four others currently hospitalised for medical treatment. As search and rescue operations continued, the City of Joburg EMS received an alert about the residential building fire.
During the intense blaze, two individuals resorted to jumping from the second floor, while EMS personnel successfully rescued three others from the building’s balcony. Radebe-Kgiba noted the rapid spread of the fire across various levels due to combustible materials, prompting EMS to initiate preliminary investigations post-firefighting operations.
Also read: Commissioner Makhubela Recused from Johannesburg Fire Inquiry Amid Bias Concerns
SAPS took swift action, arresting one person identified by witnesses who claimed to have seen her pouring paraffin and initiating the fire, as revealed on SABC’s The Agenda show.
As city officials work to conclude a head count, the extent of the fire’s impact on individuals remains uncertain. There have been concerns about the safety of the building, which Radebe-Kgiba describes as resembling an “informal settlement” on the inside.
City Manager Flloyd Brink, addressing the media at the scene, disclosed that the ablaze building was hijacked. While the immigration status of the occupants awaits confirmation, the city of Joburg is actively addressing the larger issue of illegally occupied buildings to prevent similar tragedies.’
Also read:
Newtown Commission of Inquiry Reconvenes to Delve into Johannesburg Fire Catastrophe
Picture: Facebook / COJ People’s MMC Public Safety
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