Many units in the Urban Village residential complex in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, were destroyed during a fire on Tuesday night.
Firefighters from the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded to the fire incident in Broadwalk Street, Midrand, after receiving a call at around 9pm.
EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the residential complex had 130 apartments with two floors.
“The first floor was engulfed with flames, completely destroyed by fire. Patients were taken to hospital before the EMS’s arrival. The fire has been contained. Firefighters conducted damping down operations (extinguishing hot spots) around 12am.
“The majority of residents were evacuated safely. EMS firefighters also conducted a room-by-room search. No fatalities have been reported. Patients who sustained injuries were taken to hospital,” Khumalo said.
Some residents recorded the inferno and shared it on X.
https://x.com/mulaudzimulalom/status/1838677790687920186?s=46&t=oeMLeLVU-0aswZe6EmGwPA
In some of the videos, firefighters are seen trying to extinguish the fire as an explosion is heard and the blaze grows. A voice is heard, saying “gas explosion”. Residents move away to safety and windows shatter.
Khumalo said the number of residents affected had not been determined.
The cause of the fire would be investigated.
The EMS said that during talks between the City of Joburg and the owner of the complex, it was resolved that the owner would provide accommodation to all affected residents.
“The EMS continues to urge residents of Johannesburg to scrutinise accommodation facilities before taking residency and please ensure that all electrical appliances are switched off after use,” said Khumalo.
The Star’s attempts to contact Mafadi Property Rentals were unsuccessful at the time of going to publication.
In an unrelated incident, the EMS confirmed there was an earth tremor in Johannesburg south on Tuesday night.
“An earth tremor was experienced in most parts of Johannesburg South, Roodepoort, Soweto and surrounding areas at around 7.35pm. The Council of Geoscience is still to confirm its magnitude. At this stage, no injuries or damages have been reported through our City of Johannesburg Emergency Services Call Centre. Residents are urged to call us on 011 375 5911 for any life-threatening emergencies,” said EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi.
He said the EMS’s specialised units remained on high alert overnight, monitoring all seven regions of the City for any emergencies that might be reported related to the earth tremor.
The Star