Patients evacuated as Charlotte Maxeke hospital fire re-ignites

A fire that authorities thought to have been extinguished at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Johannesburg has re-ignited with patients needing to be evacuated. 

The Gauteng Department of Health's Kwara Kekana said on Friday night firefighters from the City of Johannesburg were battling the flames. 

"The hospital has already evacuated patients to other wards that are farther away from the fire. This is being done as a precaution and to protect patients from possible smoke inhalation," said Kekana. 

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"We are also looking at evacuating patients from the hospital to other facilities within the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Cluster (nearby hospitals)," she added. 

On Saturday morning the blaze was still not under control. 

The fire broke out on Friday at the hospital's special dispensary stores and was eventually contained. 

The fire reignited late in the evening. 

"The situation is developing and we will give updates as and when we are able to," said Kekana. 

Synock Matobako from Coty of Johannesburg’s Emergency Service said on Saturday morning firefighters had to try and combat the flames from outside the building as the level above the storeroom - the level 3 visitors parking -  had caved in. 

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.