A man has been arrested on suspicion of 77 murders after telling a public inquiry he started last August’s deadly fire in a Johannesburg building.

The 29-year-old confessed while giving evidence at the inquiry, police said.

Last year fire gutted the Usindiso building in Marshalltown, where many poor people were living, claiming 77 lives and leaving many injured.

The tragedy highlighted the issue of buildings abandoned or neglected by their owners in South Africa.

A South African Police Service spokesperson said the suspect, who cannot be identified, is expected to appear in court soon.

He is also expected to face charges of arson and 120 counts of attempted murder.

The Usindiso building was home to hundreds of people, some of the poorest people in South African society.

Source: BBC