According to Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development, three firefighters have lost their lives following a fire which ravaged a building housing Departments of Health and Human Settlements. Picture: GPG
Gauteng Infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo has confirmed that three people have lost their lives in a fire that engulfed the 23rd floor of the building occupied by the Gauteng Departments of Health and Human Settlements.
“There are currently three members of the City of Johannesburg fire department who have lost their lives. We would like to convey our sincere condolences to the deceased and to their families,” said Mamabolo in a Facebook posted statement.
The fire broke out at the offices of the provincial departments on Sauer Street in the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday.
Mamabolo informed officials who work in the building that it will be closed until further notice.
“The officials that were all working in this building will be allowed to stay at home until we find a suitable alternative where the officials can report for duty,” said the MEC.
Although the authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the blaze, the DA has registered concerns that complaints by the employees in the Health Department about poor conditions of the building have been ignored.
It has been alleged that the Bank of Lisbon building contravenes safety legislation in many areas and is condemned.
Jack Bloom
I have asked a question about the conditions of this building to the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development but they are overdue in replying.
MEC Mamabolo said that the Department has been aware of the matter and it is being addressed with the seriousness it deserves.
The
Gauteng Infrastructure Development
The Department of Infrastructure Development had for some time been concerned with the state of government buildings and in 2017 commissioned an assessment for occupational health and safety. The report which was presented on August 27, 2018, revealed that the Bank of Lisbon was non-compliant with occupational health and safety standards. The building only had 21% compliance against the norm of 85%.