Fire claims four lives
JOBURG - Four people, among them a baby, died in an early morning fire in the city centre on Saturday.
Two of them and the baby were found dead inside the building, said Emergency Management Services spokesperson Nana Radebe.
The fourth person was rescued from the blaze but died on the way to hospital. Three others were admitted to hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The fire broke out on the seventh floor of a block of flats on the corner of Jeppe and Nugget streets around 4.30am.
“There were five fire engines with close to 20 fire fighters. They managed to put out the fire out and later searched the building to ascertain if anyone was trapped inside,” said Radebe.
Metro police spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said investigators were already uunderway to determine the cause of the fire.
Traffic around the building was diverted, and motorists were advised to use Pritchard Street as an alternative route.
