Affected families are reeling in the aftermath of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 73 people and injured more than 50 in the Johannesburg CBD.

Horror stories are surfacing about how people burnt to death because a locked gate kept them trapped inside.

The building belongs to the City of Johannesburg but was leased to an NGO that was supposed to use it to provide aid to women in need, but abandoned it for some reason, Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said.

Read previous story: Joburg CBD fire: Over 70 dead, 52 injured

Johannesburg Emergency Management spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the building resembled an informal settlement, with at least 80 shacks found inside.

City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshwaku said there were many partitions and gates inside the building, which prevented people’s escape.

According to him, the fire is believed to have been started by a candle. He said many bodies were found at a locked exit gate.

DA Johannesburg caucus leader councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said an investigation will be launched and that people will be held ‘accountable for their action or inaction’.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said he hopes the investigations into the fire will help communities and authorities prevent a repeat of such an event and bring any culpable parties to book.

The injured are being treated at the Helen Joseph Hospital, said Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, while human settlements MEC Lebogang Maile said they have earmarked three buildings to accommodate surviving victims.

Maile said at least 300 people and 141 households have been displaced by the fire.

Timeline of rising death toll

• 01:30 Firefighters respond to a call about a building on fire on the corner of Alberts and Delvers streets in Marshalltown.
• 07:00 At least 38 people are confirmed dead in the fire. The number will rise drastically as emergency workers discover more bodies.
• 08:00 The death toll rises to 58 people, with authorities warning that it might increase even more.
• 09:00 64 people are now confirmed dead.
• 10:13 Death toll rises to 73 people.

The death toll has risen to 73, It is alleged that the majority of residents who occupied the building are from Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.#jhbfire #JoburgFire #JoburgCBD #Johannesburgbuildingfire #JohannesburdCBD #JHBCBD pic.twitter.com/xl3B8MsLTA

— CrimeInSA (@sa_crime) August 31, 2023