At least 63 individuals have been killed in a hearth in a multi-storey constructing in South Africa's largest metropolis, authorities have mentioned.

Officials mentioned 43 extra had been injured within the blaze in Johannesburg, which broke out in the course of the night time.

Robert Mulaudzi, a spokesman for the emergency providers, has warned the variety of fatalities might rise additional - as extra individuals might be trapped inside.

Firefighters are presently working their means from flooring to flooring.

"Over 20 years in the service, I've never come across something like this," Mr Mulaudzi added.

At least one baby is among the many useless - and other people searching for their family members have been warned that possibilities of discovering them alive are "very slim".

The constructing within the central enterprise district has been described as an "informal settlement" the place homeless individuals had moved in searching for lodging.

According to witnesses, at the very least 200 individuals might have been dwelling there.

One lady searching for her daughter tearfully instructed reporters: "This is not a place where somebody can live. I was trying to get her to come back home so she could get back to the life she was living before."

Firefighters evacuated occupants after arriving on the scene - however now, a search and restoration operation is below means. Bodies lay coated on the road.

Authorities mentioned the hearth had been largely extinguished, however smoke nonetheless seeped out of home windows of the blackened constructing.

Strings of sheets and different materials frolicked of home windows - and it's unclear whether or not individuals had been utilizing them to try to escape.

The explanation for the hearth is but to be established.