While it is still unclear what caused the fire, Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said the condition of the building did not meet the health and safety standards of the city.

Gwamanda who was on the scene moments after the incident occured, said the building that caught fire on Wednesday night was previously declared unfit for habitation, which didn't stop it from being illegally occupied.

While the illegal occupation of shabby buildings in the city is nothing new to Johannesburg, Gwamanda furthermore reiterated that the occupants were at an increased risk because there were no safety standards in the building.

With the municipality expected to give a detailed report on Thursday, the city's social department is set to find temporary relief measures to assist those who were affected by the fire.