Police probe cause of fire on famous historic building

By Ofentse Mokae
02 November 2009

The cause of the fire that destroyed the historic old post office building in Rissik Street in Johanessburg continues.

The building was being renovated after falling into disrepair.

Although no one was injured in the blaze that took more than five hours to bring under control, this is the second fire in the building in recent months.

Emergency services spokesperson Nana Radebe told the media that as many as 30 fire fighters worked to extinguish the blaze, which started late last night.

The fire was finally extinguished around 4am on today.

Radebe said the building, across the street from the Gauteng Legislature, was currently under construction, which made it difficult for fire fighters enter it.

The building, which is over 100 years old, has been in a state of disrepair for several years now following incidents of vandalism.