WATCH: Burnt China Mall shell stripped

SEVERAL people have been severely injured after walking into the dilapidated shell of the China Emporium that went up in flames in January this year.

Berea Mail visited the structure on August 23 to find out more. This after Denis Hurley Centre clinic coordinator Ruth Birtwhistle was alerted to the issue about two weeks ago. She said patients started arriving at the clinic with severe injuries.

“In July there was a resurgence of people going into the building to find scrap metal. We have seen lots of lower-leg injuries, particularly where people have scraped off all of the muscle on their legs down to the bone. We have also seen terrible wounds from people who said they fell off high ledges,” said Birtwhistle.

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Berea Mail visited the site on Tuesday, August  23. Smoke was visible from a distance, streaming out the building. At the entrance to the building, lit fires were visible inside the structure. At least 10 people were seen in the building with several people working to strip metal from the structure – using force.

Thabiso Dlamini (not his real name) risked his life to go into the building to find scrap metal. He said he would earn about R38 with the amount he had retrieved.

“I am here to make money, so I can take something home for my stepmother,” he said.

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From outside the building, several people were seen on the upper levels of the building, knocking on walls and frames. Pedestrians stopped in their tracks at the sight.

“I think the building needs to be demolished. I am not feeling safe as I walk past – I am not safe at all. We see some people going into the building, and they don’t come out,” said a pedestrian who wanted to remain anonymous.

Metro Police were not available for comment at the time this article was published.