Building fire in Mayfair destroys shop, three rooms

JOHANNESBURG - A building has gone up in flames in Mayfair, with emergency crews battling to contain the fire amid pouring rain and a crowd of onlookers huddled on the pavement.

The fire was reported just after 1pm on Wednesday afternoon at the corner of Albertina Sisulu Road and Church Street, gutting a small shop and three rooms.

Firefighters said no injuries have been reported so far, but the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

The scene in Mayfair is a chaotic blend of rain and smoke, as heavily clothed firefighters wrangle industrial hoses against the charred building while dozens of residents watch in silence from under umbrellas.

Emergency services said the fire broke out at around 13:13 this afternoon, destroying part of a shop and three adjoining rooms before crews could bring it under control.

Damping-down operations are still underway to prevent the fire from reigniting, and officials have reminded residents to use electrical appliances safely and never leave them unattended.