JOHANNESBURG, July 5 (ANA) – The fire at a building in the Johannesburg central business district in which seven people died and 50 others were rescued from the rooftop has been extinguished, and forensic experts were on the scene trying to piece together how the tragedy unfolded.
The City York building on Jeppe and Nugget streets in central Johannesburg, caught alight Wednesday, but before firefighters could put it out, at least seven people were confirmed to have died. One of those was a person who died after jumping out of the burning high rise building, while officials said the rest burnt to death.
City authorities on the scene said the building has been occupied illegally.
The mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, lamented on twitter that “the tragedy at Cape York in the Inner City is a narrative all too familiar. Residence (sic) live in squalor & pay with their lives”.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it “sends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the seven residents who tragically died”.
The DA said it wished to express gratitude towards the City of Joburg and the Joburg Emergency Management Services who managed to rescue 50 residents and ensure those affected were treated for smoke inhalation.
“We trust the authorities will investigate and provide closure for the community.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
