In Conversation With Nana Radebe-Kgiba, Tshwane department of emergency services spokesperson

In the early hours of Sunday morning, a devastating fire tore through the abandoned De Williersshof residential building in Sunnyside, Pretoria, leaving two people dead. The building, which had long been deserted and taken over by squatters, had its basement divided into small makeshift rooms where desperate residents sought shelter. At around 1:15 am, emergency services received reports of the fire, but by the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already consumed several sections of the property.
The bodies of two victims were discovered in the basement, where partitions of wood and board had been erected to create living spaces. It is believed that the deceased died of smoke inhalation before they could escape. Seven of these improvised rooms were completely destroyed, underscoring the dangers faced by people occupying derelict buildings in Pretoria. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire, but poor electrical wiring and unsafe living conditions are being considered possible factors.