Authorities confirmed on Thursday that at least 73 people were killed in a fire at a multistory building in Johannesburg, South Africa‘s largest metropolis.
Another 52 people were injured in the fire, which started before morning, according to emergency services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi.
Some people had smoke inhalation and were brought to the hospital for treatment.
At least seven children were among the deceased, and the death toll is expected to rise, he said. Mr Mulaudzi noted that the youngest victim was not yet two years old.
According to AFP, it was not immediately obvious what triggered the fire.
After putting out the fires, firemen at the scene were “busy with damping down” on Thursday. As search and recovery activities continued, Mr Mulaudzi told local television ENCA.
“We are moving floor by floor conducting these body recoveries,” he said.
Candles used for lighting inside the structure, according to Mgcini Tshwaku, a member of the city’s mayoral committee in responsibility of public safety, could have ignited the fire.
Despite the fact that the search and recovery team had discovered scores of dead, it was thought that numerous individuals were still trapped inside.
“Over 20 years in the service, I’ve never come across something like this,” Mr Mulaudzi said.
The fire had been doused, according to authorities, but smoke was still coming from the windows of the blackened city center building.
Sheets and other items were hanging from some windows.
It was unclear if people utilized them to try to escape the fire or to save their belongings.
“Inside the building itself, there was a [security] gate, which was closed, so people couldn’t get out,” Mr Tshwaku said.
“Many burnt bodies were found at that gate,” he said.
According to Mr Mulaudzi, homeless persons had moved into the building without valid lease agreements. He claimed that this made searching the building impossible.
Witnesses indicated that up to 200 people lived in the structure, including the basement, which was supposed to be used as a parking garage. Others predicted a bigger number of occupants.
The building, which has been evacuated, is located in a depressed region of what was formerly South Africa’s business capital.
Officials from the city claimed 141 families were affected by the tragedy, but they couldn’t say how many people were in the building when the fire started. According to officials, many of those inside were foreign citizens.
