LIVE BLOG | Joburg CBD blaze was a disaster waiting to happen - Herman Mashaba

A fire broke out in a building in Johannesburg's city centre, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

City of Johannesburg emergency services spokesperson (ems) Robert Mulaudzi said early on Thursday, firefighters responded to a five-storey building at the corner of Alberts and Delvers Street in the Joburg CBD. 

"On arrival, firefighters started to evacuate all the people out of the building while conducting Firefighting operations. Ten people were confirmed dead on the scene and 42 people were treated on the scene and later transported to various healthcare facilities for further medical care," said Mulaudzi.

06:04 - 20 fatalities and 43 injured.

07:40 - 47 bodies recovered and 43 injured said EMS spokesperson Mulaudzi. 

09:21 - The death toll in the inferno that ripped through a five-storey building has risen to 63.

09:24 -

09:49 - City of Johannesburg speaker Colleen Makhubele has made her way to the scene of the fire. She comments that the City will assist affected families, whichever way they can. The death toll has risen to 64.

10:13 - City of Johannesburg emergency services spokesperson (ems) Robert Mulaudzi  confirms death toll has risen to 73 with 52 injured. 

10:30 - Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda says that shelters for people without housing are readily available and fully functional. In a response to a question about enforcing by-laws as the city, Gwamanda said enforcing by-laws by the city is a two-fold process by government and citizens. 

“The element of how we enforce our by-laws is an issue that the MMC is very passionate about, I need to remind him in our competencies… this is not just our problem as government this is a collective problem, because the people who are occupying these buildings are our citizens. So if we cannot be considerate of the fact that our attempts are to also assist them in relocation and to also restore our city to its former glory for a lack of a better analogy. We will not get anywhere so we need to unite. 

Gwamanda said there will be a press conference where they will give information on the sub committee that is focused on the redevelopment of Johannessburg - LD

10:38 - One of the survivors of the blaze is seen being wheeled out to an awaiting ambulance.

10:55 - More survivors of the fire have gathered close to the site of the inferno.

11:47 - Gauteng Forensic Pathology Services CEO Thembalethu Mpahlaza says DNA swabbing will be needed to identify the bodies found in the burnt hijacked building.

12:09 - Jiya Mcreen is looking for her brother Youseff John following the blaze in the Joburg CBD which has thus far claimed 73 lives and left more than 50 others injured.

13:20 - Former Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba says the deaths of 73 people, including seven children, on Thursday was a disaster waiting to happen.