Joburg Fire: Recovery plan in place, says Gauteng Health MEC
Gauteng Health MEC, Gwen Ramokgopa has visited the Bank of Lisbon building for the first time since a blaze broke out on Wednesday.
https://www.ecr.co.za/news/news/death-toll-joburg-building-fire-rises-three/
Eight other firefighters were admitted to hospital and thirteen employees received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Speaking outside the building on Friday, Ramokgopa said she is shocked and saddened by the deaths.
“It’s with really great sadness that I’ve heard that there was a fire which started on the 23rd floor and engulfed the upper parts of the building. I’ve also been shown that it’s still smouldering not fully controlled. I’m also greatly sad at the loss of three lives of our emergency officers who were on duty.”
ALSO READ: Joburg Fire: MEC willing to take 'full responsibility'
The MEC gave an assurance that the Gauteng government has already put a recovery plan in place to workers to alternative buildings.
“There is a recovery plan in place so we can continue with service delivery. Counselling services have been provided to staff members who were affected.”
Questions have been raised about the state of the building following revelations that only 21% of the building complied with the necessary health and safety standards.
Ramakgopa confirmed that she took up the issue of non-functioning lifts with the head of department last year.
“I can confirm that last year, when we came to the department, the lifts were not working well and that is one area that I instructed the HOD to deal with as a matter of priority and that has been improved.”