JOHANNESBURG - An inquest will be opened into the cause of the Marshalltown fire that claimed at least 73 lives.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela says as soon as the Emergency Services have finished their work, the site will be handed over to police for investigation.
The death toll is expected to increase.
A five storey, hijacked building caught fire early Thursday morning in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
Emergency response teams remain at the scene at the corner of Delvers and Albert street.
At least 43 people are being treated for injuries and smoke inhalation.
The building has been evacuated.
The cause of the fire remains unclear.
At the same time, The Johannesburg Metro Police Department has urged motorists,
to avoid the corner of Alberts and Delvers streets and surrounding areas.
BREAKING: #GautengSAPS commissioner #EliasMawela tells @enca that the scene will be handed over to #SAPS for a preliminary investigation. An Inquest docket will be opened for the people who died as a result of the tragic incident. #JHBFire #CBDFire pic.twitter.com/1jw4baMlyL
— Pule Letshwiti-Jones (@pule_jones) August 31, 2023