Two people have reportedly died after a residential building at Commissioner and Nugget Street in the Joburg CBD caught fire this morning. City of Joburg EMS said they responded to a call of a burning building in the early hours.

EMS spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said they are still searching for more people who may be trapped inside the building. "Two people jumped from the second floor, three people were rescued from the balcony, and one person was rescued whole trapped on top of the building."

Radebe-Kgiba added that four people have been transported to healthcare facilities for further medical care. "The fire spread very quickly, affecting different levels of the building because of the combustible materials used. EMS will conduct preliminary investigations to determine what caused the fire after firefighting operations are done. In the meantime, the team is combing through the building ensuring the safety of all residents."

Last year August a fire engulfed an illegally occupied building in the CBD and a large number of people died. *This is a developing story.