By A Correspondent- Nine people including an infant were burnt to death when a fire broke out in an abandoned building in the Johannesburg central business district (CBD).

The building, which has been filled with around 100 shacks, caught last week.

Johannesburg emergency services spokesperson Nana Radebe said they were alerted to the blaze at 4am.

Radebe said the shacks were situated on the top floor of the building.

“The fire started at the ground level. We are investigating to determine what caused the fire.”

About 20 people were rushed to hospital after suffering burn wounds while others broke their legs when jumping from the building, Radebe said.

The fire has since been extinguished.

— Times