SARS shuts down Joburg CBD branch after fire rips through basement

The SA Revenue Services (SARS) has closed its Joburg City Centre branch after it caught fire on Wednesday.

Extensive damage to the Joburg CBD SA Revenue Service (SARS) branch resulted in its closure. A fire had ripped through the building on Wednesday.

The spokesperson for the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, Nana Radebe-Kgiba, said the fire affected the basement of the Marshalltown building.

Employees were evacuated. There were no deaths or injuries. 

“The fire [was] contained at the basement level, which is used as storage,” she said.

“We will conduct preliminary investigations as to the cause of the fire.” 

READ | Fire breaks out at another ‘hijacked’ building in Johannesburg CBD

SARS announced that the building would be closed until further notice. However, virtual appointments will continue as planned. 

The building is the third to be gutted by fire in Marshalltown.

On 31 August, 77 people died and scores were injured after the Usindiso Building on 80 Albert Street caught fire.

Last week, a second building at 1 Delvers Street, less than 600 metres from the Usindiso building, caught fire. 

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