At least 74 people were killed and dozens injured in a fire that completely destroyed an apartment building in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, on Thursday.
The flame broke out at night, when many residents were sleeping. At least 12 children were among the victims, and by the end of the day Thursday, authorities were still unable to gain access to the top two floors, where many people were trapped in flames. In desperation, some jumped out of windows and died as they fell.
Local sources said the burned building was one of the many buildings in the city that had been “captured”. These buildings belong to the council, but they have been abandoned for decades, and many of them have been taken over by criminal gangs who rent apartments to the poor and immigrants.
These buildings lack water and electricity, and residents are forced to rely on candles and oil lamps for lighting, which may have been the cause of Thursday’s fire.
Author: Francisco J. Goncalves
Source: CM Jornal
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