​This past week, the City of Johannesburg lost three brave firefighters in a fire that engulfed the Provincial Health Department Building in the Inner City of Johannesburg. The Mayor visited the families last week to pay his respects. During this difficult time, the City will be doing everything it can to assist the families of the deceased firefighters.

For the City, the pain of losing a colleague in the line of duty is unbearable and overwhelming. Through EMS, the City is offering counselling services to all employees affected.

The counselling has also been extended to the firefighters who are not injured but were on scene during the fire. The City said that firefighters in Johannesburg regularly have to face life threatening situations, and continue to demonstrate their bravery in their efforts to keep residents safe.

During last week,  the MEC for Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, acknowledged that the building was not compliant with occupational health and safety regulations. The building is owned by the Provincial Government Department of Infrastructure Development.

Mayor Mashaba said, “We regard this matter very seriously, given that this fire has led to the tragic loss of life of the three brave firefighters. I am calling upon Premier David Makhura to probe the circumstances that led to the fire, which has ultimately claimed the lives of 3 of Johannesburg’s bravest.

As government, we must set the standard by which we expect building owners in Johannesburg to comply for the sake of the safety of those who live and work in these buildings.”