Two people tragically lost their lives in the basement of an abandoned building in Pretoria after a fire that broke out early yesterday morning.

Pretoria Rekord reports that, according to Tshwane Emergency Services, the first call was received at 01:15 regarding a fire at Block 2 of the De Williershof residential building.

The flames destroyed seven rooms on the ground floor.

Emergency Services spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba reported that no casualties were reported during the initial call.

However, just after 04:00, emergency services were summoned back to the building after a fire was reported in the basement of Block 1.

“Residents had converted the space into living quarters, with boarded partitions creating makeshift rooms,” Radebe-Kgiba says.

When they arrived, teams from the Central and Hatfield fire stations found the basement engulfed in flames. Firefighters initiated a search-and-rescue operation, as residents were unable to confirm if people were trapped inside.

During the search, two bodies were discovered.

“The victims died of smoke inhalation as they could not evacuate in time,” Radebe-Kgiba says.

The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Radebe-Kgiba urged residents to remain calm, speak clearly, and provide the correct address and a valid contact number when reporting emergencies.

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