Heavy toll after fire in five-story building in South Africa

At least 63 people have died and dozens have been injured in a fire that ripped through a five-storey building in central Johannesburg on Thursday morning, the city’s emergency services said.

An initial report showed at least 20 deaths.

Firefighters brought the fire under control, the building was evacuated and search operations for the victims were launched.

Images of fire trucks and ambulances surrounding the red and black building with blackened windows were looped on local television channels.