It was initially reported that one firefighter had died when he fell from one of the top floors of the burning government building.
Three firefighters have lost their lives following a fire at the departments of Health and Settlement building in the Joburg CBD, Gauteng Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo confirmed on Wednesday.
The firefighter was responding to the blaze at the building when he fell to his death. As he lay on the ground, the gold foil he had been covered with kept blowing away. Next to his body was his helmet and oxygen tank.
Mamabolo, briefing the media, confirmed that two more firefighters have died trying to extinguish the deadly fire.
It remains unclear if they were part of the group that was trapped in the building. The MEC also confirmed that 13 health workers have also been hospitalised.
Firefighters, police and paramedics are currently on the scene while onlookers have gathered opposite the building. Sauer Street has been closed off to traffic at Albertina Sisulu.
NB This is a developing story
Source: IOL News