Speculation is growing about the cause of the fire at the Urban Village Residential Complex, which has left hundreds homeless and reduced belongings to ashes.
The fire broke out on Tuesday night, 24 September 2024, and engulfed more than 130 apartments. Johannesburg EMS confirmed that the body of a female, found in the room where the fire is believed to have started, was recovered on Wednesday afternoon.
As expected of a fire, no screams were heard at the time of the fire from the apartment. A next door neighbour told the media the smoke was “thick and rich” and they had no chance of entering the apartment.
Residents of the complex revealed to the media that she had been in a heated argument with her partner days before the fire broke out. The deceased lived with her partner, and the couple had a baby around 6-month-old.
The whereabouts of both the partner and the baby remain unknown, adding further mystery to the tragic event.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire.
