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This evening, the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr. Kabelo Gwamanda, urgently attended to the scene of fire that occurred at the Florence Nightingale Building in Hilbrow.
Sadly, the fire claimed the lives of two minor children and has caused extensive damage to the building affecting a significant number of residents.
“The Emergency Services have responded swiftly and the fire has been contained, however, we have been informed of two minor children who were burnt beyond recognition” said Mayor Gwamanda.
“This particular property has been at the centre of the City’s efforts to reclaim hijacked building from illegal occupants and crime syndicates. The conditions of the structures do not meet the health and safety standards of the City and as a result, the illegal occupants are at an increased risk to fires and other safety disasters given the non-existent occupational safety standards in the buildings.”
The Disaster Management and Social Development departments of the City are coordinating temporary relief efforts to assist affected residents with basic needs and accommodation including psychological support.
Following the visit to the scene by the Executive Mayor, Disaster Management will compile a detailed report on the causes of the fire, the number of fatalities and the number of displaced individuals.
This building was previously declared unfit for habitation but was illegally occupied and hijacked.
“Once more, on behalf of the City and Council, we extend our sympathies to the families of the two minors that have passed in this incident and wish to assure them that the City will make a concerted effort to provide them with as much support as may be required and possible within our mandates” concluded Mayor Gwamanda.
