Johannesburg – A baby was one of four people who died after a fire in a building in the Johannesburg CBD on Saturday, the city’s emergency services said.

“Two people and a baby were found dead inside the building,” spokesperson Nana Radebe said.

A fourth person rescued from the blaze died on the way to hospital and three others remained in serious but stable condition.

Earlier, Radebe said three people died in the fire, which broke out on the seventh floor of a block of flats on the corner of Jeppe and Nugget Streets around 04:30.

“There are five fire engines with close to 20 fire fighters, they have put the fire [out] and are searching for more people inside the building.”

Johannesburg metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said at 09:00 that forensic teams were investigating the cause of the fire.

Traffic around the building would be diverted until around 11:00 and motorists were advised to use Pritchard Street as an alternative route.

– SAPA