Jeppestown building fire leaves 12 cardboard shacks destroyed
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services said they were called to the scene on corner Janie and Jules Street just before 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning.
A building in Jeppestown, downtown Johannesburg, caught fire, destroying twelve households. Picture: Jabulile Mbatha/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - A fire in a building in Jeppestown, downtown Johannesburg, has left 12 cardboard shacks destroyed.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) said they were called to the scene on the corner of Janie and Jules Street, just before 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning.
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No injuries were reported, and the fire was extinguished.
“EMS implores the residents of Johannesburg to be extra cautious when using electrical appliances during the cold front,” said Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo.
It's believed a tenant left an electrical device on during a power outage, which then caught fire when the power was restored.
"There is one person who left their heating devices on, and when the power was restored, the place immediately went up in flames, and the fire spread quickly to the other houses made of cardboard," a tenant told Eyewitness News.
A building in Jeppestown, downtown Johannesburg caught fire destroying twelve households.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 21, 2025
Emergency Services are on the scene and fire has been contained.@Jay_Mbatha pic.twitter.com/JgtuezATDp