Death toll in Joburg building fire rises to three

A firefighter who'd gone into the Bank of Lisbon building in the CBD - fell to his death this morning.

Provincial authorities have confirmed two other firefighters who became trapped in the building while evacuating employees have died.

It's understood other crew members are still trapped in the building.

The building houses several Gauteng government departments.  

A short while ago, MEC Jacob Mamabolo told reporters that 13 Gauteng health employees were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.

He says the building did not comply with safety and health regulations.

Health trade union, Nehawu's Tshepo Mokheranya says the tragedy could have been avoided as their members raised the alarm about the poor state of the building four years ago.

"In 2014, our members protested and moved out of the building but instead management, addressing those concerns raised at the time, resorted to suspending our shop stewards," Mokheranya said.