South African police announced Wednesday that they had apprehended a man accused of igniting a fire in Johannesburg last year, which killed more than 70 people.
The 29-year-old was arrested on Tuesday after confessing to his role in the disaster during an investigation.
“A suspect was arrested in connection to the Marshalltown fire,” police spokeswoman Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said.
Seventy-seven people were killed and scores injured as a blaze ripped through a five-storey building taken over for illegal housing in central Johannesburg last August.
It was one of the deadliest building fires worldwide in recent years.
The suspect is expected to appear in court “soon” on charges of arson, 76 counts of murder and 120 counts of attempted murder, police said.
Illegal occupation of disused buildings in the city centre is widespread, with many said to be under the control of criminal syndicates who collect rent from occupants.
