Two people died after the jumping out of the Usindiso Building in Marshalltown, Johannesburg in order to avoid a raging fire that had started few minutes earlier.
This was revealed on Friday by City of Johannesburg emergency management services (EMS) divisional chief David Ntemi Thabe.
Thabe was testifying during the second day of the judicial commission of inquiry into circumstances surrounding the deaths of 77 people at the Usindiso Building.
The inquiry, which is chaired by retired Constitutional Court judge Sisi Khampepe, is investigating the causes of the fire on August 31.
62 people burned beyond recognition
The Gauteng department of health said about 62 of the deceased were burned beyond recognition.
Khampepe is assisted by advocate Thulani Makhubela and Vuyelwa Mathida Mabena.
Advocate Ishmael Semenya (SC) is the evidence leader of the inquiry.
During his testimony, Thabe said: “At approximately 1.21am, the ECC [emergency command centre] received a call from a Mr Siyabonga who reported the incident, and two dead bodies outside the building because of jumping from the building to avoid the fire.”
Earlier, City of Joburg EMS firefighter Lucas Thipe wrapped up his testimony from Thursday, stating that it was difficult for search and rescue teams to gain entry to the building.
Thipe said he was one of the first respondents when the fire was still “raging”.
“Both entrances were locked with steel gates. We had to break through the locks to try and gain entry while we do the fire attacks,” Thipe said.
“It was also very difficult to get to the next floor … Every floor was locked and not only that, most rooms were locked as well.
“We had to do forceable entry into every room against all those flames. It was difficult for us because of the number of bodies on the ground floor and first floor.
“We could not jump a body and go to the next room. We do search and recovery, find a body, take it outside and then go back inside or to the next room.
“This process in its own takes time. We have to go to all rooms which are fully engulfed, control fires and look for bodies.”
Certain materials contributed to the fire
Thipe said certain materials around the building led to the rampant spread of the fire.
“The fire was unusual because of the partitioning boards at the back of the building. The materials used such as cardboards and wood for partitioning contributed to the quick fire spread,” said Thipe.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Jevu from the Johannesburg Central police station testified after Thabe.
Jevu was appointed as the district duty officer from August 28 to September 4 in the Johannesburg central area, and his duty is to attend to crime scenes of a serious nature and to compile reports on those crime scenes.
He said he was at home when he received a call at 3.15am about the fire incident.
Jevu said he was informed during the call that two dead bodies were at the scene.
“I left home and arrived at the scene at approximately 3.45am. On arrival, I found 20 bodies on the side and I was informed by the crime scene manager and station duty manager that 47 patients were taken to hospital,” said Jevu.
Warrant Officer Bonginkosi Goodman Mngadi from the Johannesburg Central police station is currently testifying.
Mngadi is a crime scene investigator who was responsible for taking pictures of the fire scene, collecting exhibits and documenting the scene.
The inquiry continues.
