The South African police announced an investigation into the causes of the fire that killed at least 73 people this morning in a five-story building in the center of Johannesburg, which was illegally occupied, despite being officially abandoned.
The police commissioner for Gauteng province, around Johannesburg, Elias Mawela, said the fire broke out in an “occupied” building, which was supposedly “abandoned”, adding that the police “will bring in specialized units to determine the cause”. of fire”. “.
The police commissioner stated that there are “700 derelict and ownerless buildings” in the center of the South African economic capital, noting that “the building itself requires the attention of the municipality, which must ensure that the buildings are safe.”
Mawela indicated that “the municipality has to establish who the owners are” and stressed that “the city of Johannesburg must make a decision about what to do with these buildings.”
Police this morning updated the death toll from the fire that started around 01:30 (00:30 GMT) to at least 73, bringing the number of injured to 55.
The causes of the fire have yet to be determined, according to the South African authorities, but the Johannesburg municipal public safety officer, Mgcini Tshwaku, pointed to the “use of candles” and “illegal use of candles” as probable causes of the fire. connections” to the electrical network, which are common in the area.
“On the other hand, when the firefighters entered the building, there was a security door inside that was locked and people couldn’t get out. [para fugir do fogo]”, He explained.
“Many charred bodies were found piled up by the security gate. “I’ve never seen bodies burned like this, beyond recognition; It’s a very sad scenario,” she told reporters at the scene.
“This is a great tragedy, felt by the families whose loved ones died in this terrible way,” President Cyril Ramaphosa said at an event in the southern city of Gqeberha.
“Our hearts go out to all those affected by this catastrophe.”
Firefighters brought the fire under control and the building was being evacuated, according to Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi.
“Each floor has an informal settlement and those trying to get out were trapped due to the structures between the floors,” he added.
A community organization in downtown Johannesburg, the Inner City Federation, has accused the Johannesburg Municipality of failing to care for idle and dilapidated buildings in the city center.
“The building was not hijacked because there was a security guard hired by the City of Johannesburg at the door. This morning at the location, we had a brief conversation with the head of public health and safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, who indicated that the city doesn’t have money to renovate buildings in the city of Johannesburg due to lack of funding,” spokesperson for the organization Siya Mahlangu told local media.
Source: TSF
