Building fire kills more than 70 in South Africa, including children

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Fire officials are investigating the fire at an abandoned building in Johannesburg. Associated Press/Photo by Jerome Delay

Building fire kills more than 70 in South Africa, including children

The fire on Thursday ripped through an abandoned five-story building in Johannesburg that as many as 200 homeless people occupied. At least 73 people died, including seven children, and more than 50 were injured. The blaze started early in the morning when many occupants were asleep, local fire authorities said. The fire’s cause is under investigation, but one local government official, Mgcini Tshwaku, said there was some early evidence suggesting a candle started it.

Why were there so many people in the building? The building is located in a former business district. Cartels had taken over the property, city officials said in a news conference. Such buildings are called “hijacked buildings,” and gangs that control the structures frequently lease the space to migrants and South Africans who cannot afford other housing.

Dig deeper: Read Kevin DeYoung’s column in WORLD Opinions about how Christians can respond to tragedy.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.