Home » Joburg Fire Tragedy: 3 Brave Firefighters Lose Their Lives in Burning Building

Joburg Fire Tragedy: 3 Brave Firefighters Lose Their Lives in Burning Building

JOHANNESBURG – The City of Joburg is heartbroken today as the death toll in the fire at the Department of Health has risen to three firefighters. The brave firemen paid the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives while trying to rescue others and extinguish a fire which broke out on the 23rd floor of the Bank […]

By SAPeople
05-09-18 16:41
in Eish!

JOHANNESBURG – The City of Joburg is heartbroken today as the death toll in the fire at the Department of Health has risen to three firefighters.

The brave firemen paid the ultimate sacrifice, losing their lives while trying to rescue others and extinguish a fire which broke out on the 23rd floor of the Bank of Lisbon building in Sauer Street.

The building also houses the Departments of Human Settlement and Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs.

Gauteng Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo confirmed the tragic deaths on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier one firefighter reportedly died after slipping off the balcony on the 23rd floor. A shocking video of his fall went viral, but anyone who sees it is asked to please not retweet or share it.

The man’s body lay at the bottom of the building with his helmet and oxygen tank beside him, according to IOL.

According to Mamabolo at least 13 health workers have also been admitted to hospital for smoke inhalation.

There has been criticism of the ANC for not maintaining several such buildings, leading to structural damage and posing a fire hazard.

Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, said: “I am distressed at the fire that has broken out at the top floor Head Office of Gauteng Health Department.”

Bloom said the building contravenes safety legislation in many areas and is condemned.

“The safety concerns of staff in this building should have been taken seriously and addressed,” he said.

Earlier today Michael Sun, Joburg MMC for Public Safety, reported that two of six firefighters were still missing and trapped inside the building. It’s not clear if the deceased are the same two.