3 Firefighters lose their lives in Inner-City Johannesburg building fire

City of Johannesburg MEC for Infrastructure Development Jacob Mamabolo has confirmed that three firefighters have died while battling a blaze at the Gauteng Health Department in the Johannesburg CBD.

Officials say the fire started on the 23rd floor. It’s not yet known how the fire broke out. Mamabolo says 13 employees from the building have been taken to the hospital.
“The building did not comply with health and safety regulations.”

Sadly, as the firefighters fought the flames of the fire that started on the 24th floor, a body of one of their colleague laid on the pavement in front of the building covered with silver foil.

The firefighter, who could not be named until his family was notified. The city’s MMC for public safety Michael Sun said the firefighter slipped and fell from the 23rd floor.

Sun confirmed that two other firefighters, who were trapped in the building, also died.

“I come to you with a very heavy heart, I’m extremely devastated. Earlier today we heard of one firefighter falling to his death, unfortunately we’ve received reports that two other firefighters that were trapped in the building also passed on,” said Sun adding that they were still waiting for the bodies to be brought down from the building.

“We already requested our EMS team senior officials, to attend with the families to inform them of this very sad news.”

He confirmed that additional eight members of their firefighting team were taken to hospital for various injuries including burns and exhaustion.

Sun said they were still battling with the fire that started at about 10am. Dozens of emergency vehicles, including ambulances, descended on the busy street formerly known as Sauer.

“We are still busy with the firefighting, as you can see, the flames are now out the window.”