A total of seven children, the youngest of which is an 18-month-old toddler, are amongst the 73 fatalities in this morning’s devastating building fire in Johannesburg.

A political analyst says that this tragedy must be a wake-up call for all municipal administrators.

This as it’s since been revealed that the derelict Marshalltown building is owned by the City of Johannesburg.

Political analyst, Angelo Fick, says that the people occupying the run-down building, are symptomatic of a bigger housing problem, which authorities have failed to address.

This as Gauteng police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela has told eNCA that they are aware of 700 buildings that are ownerless and derelict in Johannesburg.

He says that the municipality needed to ensure that these buildings are safe, or to take a decision to demolish these derelict structures.

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Several political parties have conveyed their condolences to the victims, their families, and those who have survived the fire.

The ANC has called on authorities to conduct thorough investigations to ensure that this tragedy does not reoccur.

Meanwhile, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has offered the support of its Disaster Management Services to help those impacted by the fire.