Johannesburg building fire continues for second day

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG

Fire fighters on Thursday are still battling to doze off the fire that broke out at a government building in South Africa’s economic capital Johannesburg on Wednesday.

“The fire is still raging and we have asked for reinforcements from Pretoria and Ekurhuleni [ nearby cities]," said Jacob Mamabolo, the minister for infrastructure development in the province of Gauteng.

The fire that broke out on the 23rd floor of the building has now spread to other floors.

On Wednesday, three fire fighters were killed as they attempted to extinguish the fire, while eight others were treated for smoke inhalation. Four more people are still under treatment in a hospital.

More than 1,000 government employees working at the premises were evacuated on Wednesday .

Mamabolo told reporters the building did not comply with health and safety measures.

Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba called on all building owners in the city to ensure health and safety compliance.

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG

Fire fighters on Thursday are still battling to doze off the fire that broke out at a government building in South Africa’s economic capital Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The fire that broke out on the 23rd floor of the building has now spread to other floors.

On Wednesday, three fire fighters were killed as they attempted to extinguish the fire, while eight others were treated for smoke inhalation. Four more people are still under treatment in a hospital.

More than 1,000 government employees working at the premises were evacuated on Wednesday .

Mamabolo told reporters the building did not comply with health and safety measures.

Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba called on all building owners in the city to ensure health and safety compliance.