Johannesburg - It was a sombre occasion outside the Bank of Lisbon building on Monday morning as mourners gathered to remember fallen firefighters who died in last week's fire at the Lisbon Building in the Joburg CBD.
Simphiwe Moropane, 28, Mduduzi Ndlovu, 40, and Khathutshelo Muedi, 37 were all killed while battling a blaze at the building - which houses the departments of Health, Human Settlements as well as Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Eight others were hospitalised with various degrees of injuries and burns while at least 13 officials from the provincial department of health were hospitalised and were treated for smoke inhalation.
A total of 1115 employees were safely evacuated from the building.
On Monday, a group of mourners gathered outside the building to lay wreaths and flowers for the slain firefighters.
Video: Khanyisile Ngcobo/IOL.
They were led in prayer and song before being addressed by the Gauteng Health Department HOD Mkhululi Lukhele, who said the ceremony was a way to "cleanse themselves".
The ceremony will be followed by a memorial service at the Ellis Park stadium and the firefighters' funeral this Friday.