A major fire broke out at the Premier Hotel near O.R. Tambo International Airport late Wednesday night, but swift action by Ekurhuleni firefighters ensured all guests and staff were safely evacuated.
The emergency services say a call was received at 11:20pm, and crews from four fire stations responded quickly to the eight-storey building, where flames were reported on the seventh floor.
About 158 guests and 23 staff members were evacuated safely, while one guest was rescued from a balcony.
Two guests were treated for smoke inhalation.
Ekurhuleni EMS spokesperson William Ntladi says the fire is believed to have started from a possible electrical short circuit, and investigations are continuing.
“The entire hotel building was ventilated by firefighting crews using the positive pressure ventilators, that is the PPV, to clear the smoke from the building. Eleven guest rooms were identified to have had intense smoke damages. According to the information received on site, the hotel was 50% fully booked. Investigation will continue to determine the exact cause of the fire.”
