Four people perish in the Jeppestown building fire

Published Aug 25, 2024

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Four bodies were been recovered by firefighters while conducting search-and-rescue operations as they attended to a three-storey building on fire in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, on Sunday.

It is reported that the abandoned building caught fire around 1am.

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City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) confirmed that three patients were treated for injuries/smoke inhalation and were transported to the nearest health-care facility for further medical attention , with one patient in a critical condition.

EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the search and recovery operation continues.

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“At this stage, the cause of the fire incident is still a subject of investigations,” said Mulaudzi. At around past 8am, he confirmed that the fire had been extinguished.

Meanwhile, a woman in her mid-thirties died in a fire incident that occurred at a 10 room(ed) house in Lehae Ext 1 on Saturday.

EMS said on arrival, firefighters found the living area of the house engulfed by fire.

The deceased woman had already been taken out by the community.

“The cause of fire is under investigation. EMS continues to implore the residents of Johannesburg to be cautious of their surroundings at night time. Please ensure that all open fires are extinguished and appliances switched off,” said EMS’s Xolile Khumalo.

In another incident, 36 shacks caught fire in Zamimpilo informal settlement, Industria, Johannesburg, also on Saturday.

EMS responded to a shack fire incident around 4.36am.

“A total of 36 shacks burnt down and three people sustained injuries,” said Khumalo.

She said the cause of fire is being investigated.

EMS urges the residents to switch off all electrical/heating appliances and extinguish open fires at night as winter slowly recedes, Khumalo added.

The Star

ntombi.nkosi@inl.co.za