Thirteen people rescued from Durban CBD blaze
Firefighters and paramedics were at the scene of a building fire on Dr Pixley Kaseme Street in the Durban city centre on Friday.
"Just after 10h00 this morning Emer-G-Med paramedics, together with multiple emergency services, responded to the scene of a structural fire at a shopping mall on the corner of Anton Lembede and Brook Streets in the Durban Central Business District," says Emer-G-Med's Kyle Van Reenen.
Thirteen people have been rescued from the upper floors.
They were attended to by paramedics.
"Thirteen people were treated for injuries ranging from minor to moderate and taken to various nearby hospitals for further medical care.
"At this stage, the cause of the fire is unknown and will form the subject of a South African Police Services investigation," says Van Reenen.
Officials believe that everyone has been rescued.
But teams were on Friday afternoon busy with final sweeps on every floor.
eThekwini metro police spokesperson Parboo Sewpersad says traffic is affected.
"There are major road closures in place. Motorists are urged to stay away from the following road closures: Anton Lembede Road and Brook Street, Pixley Kaseme Street and Brook Street, Pixley Kaseme and Williams Road.
"Motorists are urged to compile with police officers' instructions. We are dealing with an emergency situation. There are no persons trapped or injured at this stage."
