Shortly after 1 am on Thursday, August 31, a fire broke out in a historic five-story building located in Johannesburg, South Africa’s central business district. The fire tragically claimed the lives of 73 individuals. As the fire rapidly spread, the building, known for its infamous apartheid-era past, became a place of immense sorrow.
The majority of those who perished were homeless individuals who had taken refuge in the decaying building. As the flames grew, panic arose among the building’s occupants, prompting many to try to flee. Onlookers describe distressing scenes of individuals making the desperate choice to leap from windows, hoping to avoid the rapidly advancing flames.
With an estimated 200 people, including families and foreign nationals, living within its walls, the building was notorious for its hazardous living conditions and limited evacuation pathways. This devastating event shines a spotlight on the persistent issue of urban neglect in Johannesburg. It also emphasizes the desperate living situations of those residing in abandoned structures and the broader concerns of homelessness and insufficient housing.
Robert Mulaudzi, speaking for the Johannesburg Emergency Services Management, shared his reaction: “Over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this.”
Preliminary investigations into the fire’s cause point to its starting around 1 am. The blaze was likely related to candles or other small fires that the building’s occupants utilized for warmth. The cluttered state of the building’s interior made it difficult for emergency services to maneuver inside quickly, and locked gates further trapped occupants inside.
Even after the firefighters’ relentless efforts to control the flames, evidence of the tragedy remained evident – lingering smoke and makeshift ropes could be seen from the building’s broken windows. The process of retrieving the deceased continued, with growing concerns that the number of victims would increase.