More than 400 people have been left stranded following a fire in an abandoned and hijacked building in Johannesburg.
The three-storey structure, located in Jeppestown, caught fire during the early hours of Sunday morning, leading to the deaths of four people.
Residents told the publication the building resembled an informal settlement with shacks and partitions erected inside it.
Hanau Street in Johannesburg used to be a business district with a number of firms, from clothing factories to printing presses.
However, in the last decade, many businesses abandoned their buildings in the area.
After being evicted from another building, hundreds of people forcefully occupied the abandoned structure which burnt down on Sunday.
Long-time resident, Tholakele Dlamini said many women and children had been left stranded.
“We want to know where the government plans on dumping us, because there is a government place that’s been vacant since 2019 and we want them to open it today.”
Residents said this was not the first time the building had caught alight, adding that the fires were usually caused by the illegal electricity connections that run through it.
The City of Johannesburg said it believes the burnt-down building was used as a criminal enterprise.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said amid the chaos of people seeking safety while the building was ablaze, some were also seen carrying out suspicious materials.
“There was basically a lot of criminal activity taking place in this building because they saw a lot of different groups going out with bags, artillery, serious guns from the building which confirms what the councillors have been saying that this building is in fact a criminal centre.”
The mayor said the temporary shelter had been organized for the displaced people.
-EWN
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