Gareth Masters (19) sustained superficial burns with minor second-degree burns on his left hand after his room caught alight on June 2 at 02.00 in Randhart.
He had gone to sleep after load-shedding hit not realising he did not switch off the heater in his room and somehow it caught alight.
Lost everything he owned
“I woke up when my hand caught fire and saw that my bed and the rest of my room were up in flames. Luckily I managed to escape,” said Gareth.
His room was damaged and everything he owned inside was lost. The fire did manage to reach part of the passageway but was extinguished by a few anonymous neighbours before the fire brigade arrived.
The whole house has to be repainted and fixed up as well as replacing his bedroom windows and the roof of his room.
Gareth does not have medical aid, and he received help from other parties to go see a doctor and get some medication for his wound.
According to a family member, Jessica van Randen, he is doing better, but he needs to rest.
“Gareth and his mom are dealing with a lot now,” she said.
Help needed
“The community could help by donating anything that could help keep Gareth warm this winter, anything to help him further his studies as he has lost all his study materials.
“Anything to help keep a 19-year-old boy afloat would be greatly appreciated and accepted whole-heartedly,” said Jessica.
Anyone who would like to help may contact Nadine van Randen on 060 834 6698.
