Johannesburg Fire: 73 Dead in Blaze at City Centre Building… 

Officials say it is unclear what sparked the blaze at the city centre five-storey building, which had been abandoned but was being occupied by homeless people.

The city of Johannesburg confirmed in a news conference that it owned the building but said cartels had taken it over.

A spokesman for the emergency services, Robert Mulaudzi, told the BBC that firefighters had been able to bring out some of the occupants.

He said the fire had gutted the building, and that the search for other victims was continuing.

Disaster management officials are also in the area to help provide relief for surviving residents.

Mr Mulaudzi said the scene will be handed over to the South African police service after emergency services had finished searching for victims.