[imagesource:twitter/@NewsGordons]
Shocking footage is emerging across social media of a fire that broke out in Johannesburg city centre this morning.
According to Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi, a multi-storey apartment block in Marshalltown, on the corner of Albert and Delvers streets, was set ablaze at approximately 01:30.
As of now, 52 deaths have been recorded, and more than 40 people are being treated for related injuries.
Firefighters evacuated as many residents as they could upon arrival, but the search continues for those missing, presumed trapped.
#JoburgUpdates Firefighters , @CityofJoburgEMS are currently attending to a building on fire in the Joburg CBD corner Delvers and Alberts street .Ten people confirmed dead and multiple patients treated on scene transported to various health care facilities for further medical… pic.twitter.com/OZTrajIbAq
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) August 31, 2023
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
There are a slew of accusations surfacing online that the fire was started due to a ‘building hijacking’, but these rumours have not been confirmed by officials.
The City of Johannesburg has just announced that Executive Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda is travelling to the disaster scene to provide support.
Onlookers surveyed the apocalyptic scene as the completely gutted block of flats was doused by firefighters and watched in shock as numerous body bags were laid out on the far side of the structure.
A local mom expressed her anxiety and fear as she searches for her child amidst the chaotic aftermath.
The situation remains volatile at the Johannesburg CBD as the fire at a 5-Stores building is still on fire. Meanwhile a mother is looking for her daughter @NkosinathiShazi #CBDFIRE pic.twitter.com/LWiAtzA9Vy
— POWER987News (@POWER987News) August 31, 2023
As SA comes to terms with this harrowing incident, we can only hope that all those missing will be recovered and that the necessary time will be taken to investigate the cause of the blaze, in order to prevent these kinds of tragedies in the future.
