Gutted building to go down
Bank of Lisbon can’t be saved after fire
The Bank of Lisbon Building in the Johannesburg CBD that went up in flames last year, leaving three firefighters dead, is to be demolished.
“Having considered the assessment report and available options to remedy the structural damage ... the Bank of Lisbon Building has to be demolished,” the Gauteng provincial government said yesterday.
A contractor has already been appointed to oversee the destruction of the building.
“The building has been stabilised and the contractor is conducting investigations to determine the best and safest way of demolishing it,” said Gauteng government spokesperson Thabo Masebe.
The date of demolition is yet to be announced. The building, which was found to not meet safety requirements, had been used to house scores of government employees from different departments. When firefighters responded to an inferno at the building in 2018, they found that it was illequipped, resulting in the death of the three. At the time, firefighters said the building did not even have water.
Khathutshelo Muedi and Mduduzi Ndlovu died from smoke inhalation after finding themselves trapped inside. Simphiwe Moropane died after falling from the 23rd floor.
For several days after the blaze‚ forensic officers combed through the building to determine the cause of the blaze.
Gauteng premier David Makhura said at the time that officials knew the building did not meet safety compliance standards. It was reported that the building was only 20% compliant. Required compliance levels exceed 80%.