Joburg Fire: MEC willing to take 'full responsibility'
Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo says he'll take full responsibility for the Johannesburg building fire that has resulted in the deaths of three firefighters.
The fire broke out yesterday morning and was brought under control last night. It began raging again this morning and crews continue to battle it.
Yesterday Mamabolo said the building - which is home to a number of government departments - did not meet basic health and safety standards.
He says he'll accept any blame apportioned to him following investigations.
“If there is anything wrong done, on my side, the premier will deal with the matter. But I am prepared to take full responsibility and the law must take its cause. If there is anything wrong we have done - there are no excuses on that. The report will indicate what caused the fire and what has been the responsibility of each [entity]. If it points out that Mamabolo has done something wrong - then Mamabolo must take the fall,” he told reporters.
Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Nana Radebe says a firefighter has been taken to hospital for exhaustion.
He was among the around 50 firefighters tackling the blaze.
"He is stable but he will just go to hospital to be checked. At the moment, we have different teams that have gone up. We have divided teams so that if one team has people who are fatigued, they'll be able to get out and another team will be able to assist. We have recieved reinforcments from the city of Tshwane, eKurhuleni, and the OR Tambo International Fire Department. So we have fifty plus firefighters on scene," Radebe said.