​Several students from surrounding universities such as WITS, UJ and local private colleges have found accommodation in this building. The building is administered by a private company which rents out apartments in the building to individual students.

Upon hearing of the fire, the University was concerned for the safety of all students living in that building. The officials of UJ, led by the Executive Director: Student Affairs, were some of the first to arrive on the scene.

Apparently, a storeroom that stores mattresses on the top floor of the building caught fire. Fortunately, the members of the Johannesburg Fire Department promptly arrived on the scene and managed to extinguish the fire before it spread. No students were injured.

The University wishes to commend the Johannesburg Fire Department for their prompt response.