Listen: Fire in Johannesburg under control – EMS

No injuries have been reported after recycling material and a lapa caught fire in an open space.

October 1, 2023

Caxton Reporter 1 minute read

The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has confirmed that a fire in Newtown has been contained.

This after a video of the blaze circulated on social media platforms, with some users suggesting that another building caught fire.

Spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi confirmed the incident to Caxton Local Media, but said it was recycling material and a lapa that was ablaze – in an open space – and not a building.

The fire occurred on the corner of Miriam Makeba and Jeppe streets behind the Bree Taxi Rank, he said.

Other users suggested the video is of a previous incident, reportedly on September 22, but Mulaudzi confirmed that the video being circulated is that of today’s fire.

No injuries have been reported, he added.

Watch the video:

Fire: Newtown, JHB. pic.twitter.com/ktfHQgV0CT

— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) October 1, 2023

BUT No, Newtown Johannesburg is not on fire. There was a fire at one of the shops at the Metro Mall in Newtown on 22 September 2023, but it was quickly contained by the firefighters. The cause of the fire was not reported, but it was not related to the previous fires that…

— Goodwill (@sphiwe_goodwill) October 1, 2023