Over 200 people may have been present inside the building at the time of the outbreak: Eyewitnesses

JOHANNESBURG: A Devastating fire engulfed a multi-storey building in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa, leaving a trail of destruction and sorrow in its wake. The incident, which took place in the city's commercial district on Thursday morning, has resulted in the loss of at least 73 lives, with over 52 individuals sustaining injuries.

Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, confirmed that a coordinated effort by firefighters is underway to carry out rescue operations and control the blaze that has left the city in shock.

Tragically, among the victims is a child, underscoring the severity of the incident. Those injured in the fire have been rushed to various hospitals for medical attention. It has been reported that the building, where this tragic incident occurred, was being used as a non-government accommodation facility for homeless individuals, and as such, there were no official rental agreements in place. The presence of a large number of people in the building has further complicated relief and rescue efforts.

Notably, Eyewitnesses on the scene estimate that over 200 people may have been present inside the building at the time of the fire outbreak. Presently, the exact cause of the fire in the multi-storey building remains uncertain. Firefighters battled tirelessly to bring the blaze under control. Despite their efforts, plumes of smoke continued to billow from many windows in the building. Further investigation in the matter is underway.