One person found dead in Broadwalk Urban Village fire in Midrand

Firefighters found the second floor of the building "engulfed in flames". (City of Johannesburg EMS/Supplied)

One person has been found dead in the aftermath of a fire at the Broadwalk Urban Village complex in Midrand, say Johannesburg emergency services officials.

EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the body was found under rubble and a collapsed roof - remnants of the devastating blaze that broke out on Tuesday night.

"The complex's security have shared information that this is where the fire initially begun [on Tuesday] night," Khumalo added.

She said the cause of the fire had not been determined yet and inspectors were still inside the building investigating it.

"We can't really speculate right now as to what caused the fire."

Khumalo added the building's compliance would also be investigated.

"We are not privy to information of what the building was before. We just know right now that it is a residential premises, but it will be investigated," she said.

Tebogo Seloane, who lived in a unit next to the victim, said he was one of the first to respond by attempting to break open her door when a smoke alarm was triggered.

"There was smoke in her room that came into my room. Security was knocking at my door, and I went outside.

"We went out and we tried to break her door, but we couldn't. Eventually, we were able to get a screw[driver] that we pushed in and then broke the door open," he said.

At the time, Seloane added, they could not confirm if there was anyone in the unit because thick black smoke prevented them from entering.

"We didn't go inside; the smoke and fumes were too much. The next thing, when I looked up, the ceiling was on fire. The fire literally took five minutes to start. I went and went door to door and got everybody out of the building."

Seloane described the situation as chaotic, with residents trying to salvage some of their belongings.

"l had to shout at everybody to get out and stop trying to save anything. Life is more important than anything. Everything is materialistic. There is no need for you to try and save MacBooks and phones."

When the news broke about the woman's death on Wednesday afternoon, Seloane said he was shocked and heartbroken.

"I knew her personally. She was a quiet person who kept to herself with her boyfriend. They always did things together and didn't have friends in the building. She was a young lady.

"I feel very bad. My emotions at the moment are like a rollercoaster," he added.

At midday on Wednesday, a fire truck and firefighters arrived at the building.

Residents were seen dropping off food, water, coffee and clothes to the victims.

Tenants were still waiting outside to get clearance from management as to when they could enter the building.