‘Extensive damage’ to building after fire in Johannesburg

A massive fire broke out at the Braam Park office building this afternoon, leaving the Johannesburg skyline covered in a cloud of grey smoke.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said that no one was seriously injured.

“Everyone managed to escape but one or two people were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation,” Minnaar told City Press.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but Minnaar said that extensive damage was caused.

“The entire fifth floor was completely engulfed in the flames, and as we speak there are still fire fighters trying to completely put out the fire,” he said this afternoon.

Jacques Rossouw, who works in the Sappi building in Braamfontein, alerted City Press to the fire at about 2pm.

“We just heard someone saying there was a fire and when we looked out of the window we could see the fire from our building,” Rossouw said.

People had already begun evacuating the building.

By 4pm traffic was being diverted from Rissik Street on to Joubert Street and Hoof Street was blocked off in order for the emergency services to douse the fire.

Pictures by Jacques Rossouw