At least 52 killed, 40 injured in Johannesburg fire

At least 52 people have died and more than 40 injured in a fire that engulfed a five-storey building in central Johannesburg, the South African city's emergency services said.

"We're on 52 bodies, which we have recovered and also 43 people who sustained minor injuries," Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi told a local broadcaster.

It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze, which broke out overnight, Emergency Management Services spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.
"Right now, we have about 20 people who lost their lives and 43 people injured," Mr Mulaudzi said.

Firefighters who were called to the scene had put out the flames.

The building had been evacuated and search and recovery operations are ongoing.

Television footage showed fire trucks and ambulances outside the red and white building with burned-out windows, which had been cordoned off by police.