A fire burning in a building in Benrose, Johannesburg on Tuesday had been contained but not extinguished, the city's emergency services said.

Spokesperson Nana Radebe said four fire engines were still struggling to extinguish the blaze on Tuesday.

The Forms Media Independent building, on the corner of Theodore and Raebor streets, was a paper printing and office stationery company.

Emergency services earlier evacuated around 150 people from the building.

Three people were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation. Two of them refused to be taken to hospital and went home. The third person was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Firefighters were attacking the fire from the top of the building.