Alberton couple loses everything in house fire: “We walked out with only the clothes on our backs”
A devastating fire destroyed a couple’s home on Piet Retief Street in Alberton leaving them with nothing. They now plead for help and answers.
An Alberton couple is picking up the pieces of their life after a devastating fire tore through their home on June 20, leaving them with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
Stadler Annsony and her partner, Tessa Jordaan, lived at 8 Piet Retief Street when the fire broke out shortly after 17:20.
“I received a voice note on the CPF group saying assistance was needed at Piet Retief Street because of a fire. I was at work in Joburg south and immediately tried calling my wife, but could not reach her,” Jordaan recalled.
Shortly after, Anna of CPS Security called her, asking about her wife’s whereabouts.
“I said she must be home sleeping. Anna told me the flames were out of control. I just said, ‘Break the door down and get my wife out,’ but they could not get close to the property. I was beside myself.”
Fortunately, Annsony was not at home at the time as she had stepped out to buy milk. Annsony’s mother spotted her near Shoprite and rushed her back to the house.
“As they got there, flames were everywhere. My wife tried to run upstairs to save our cockatiel, whom I owned for fourteen years, but she could not reach him. She got burnt. A few moments later, the neighbours’ gas bottles and generator exploded,” said Jordaan.
Despite the swift arrival of the fire department, it was too late.
“We watched our entire life burn down in a matter of minutes. The fire destroyed everything.”
Official fire department report
The Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson, William Ntladi, provided an official report on the incident.
“Disaster and Emergency Management Services received and serviced a structural fire call at the corner of 17th Avenue and 8 Piet Retief Street, Alberton, on June 20. Crews were dispatched at 17:40 to the scene for intervention.
“On arrival, a block of double-storey residential flats was on fire with flames spreading to neighbouring structures. The fire was on the upper floor. Backup was summoned from the Germiston and Thokoza fire stations.
“The firemen started using fire suppression, using two attack lines to contain the fire and prevent further spread. At that time, the roof had already collapsed. A hydraulic elevated platform fire engine was used to access the upper floor. Operations continued until the fire was brought under control and extinguished. The fire resources returned to base at 21:00.
“A secondary response from Alberton and Thokoza fire stations occurred the next morning on June 21 at 02:13 due to flare-ups as some hotspots reignited. Crews used one attack line to extinguish the blaze,” Ntladi explained.
Struggles after the fire
What has deepened the couple’s grief is the silence that followed.
“No one contacted us, not the landlord, not the owner of the property. That very night, we had to find our own shelter while the neighbours stayed in a guest house,” said Annsony.
According to the couple, the landlord even accused Annsony of causing the fire, despite her not being home.
Jordaan says they received the official fire report from the Alberton Fire Department, which states that the cause of the fire is unknown.
She has also requested a compliance certificate for the property on Piet Retief Street after hearing from a source that the building was a potential fire hazard.
“From that day until today, no one has asked if we are okay. We are now living in a room. Our entire life was taken from us. We have nothing but each other. We are trying to stay strong, but we need help.”
Landlord refuses to comment
The Alberton Record contacted the landlord, Christo van der Berg, for comment regarding the couple’s claims, and he responded by saying he was not interested in speaking to the newspaper.
Appeal for community assistance
The couple is appealing to the community for assistance with necessities, including clothing, toiletries, a fridge, a washing machine, and food.
They expressed gratitude to those who supported them during this time.
“Paradise Square donated a bed and duvet set. Rams Flowers gave us a R500 clothing voucher. Roger Racks, Myna, Dalleen, Karen, Cathy, and their friends helped with food and clothing,” Jordaan shared.
The couple also thank Dalleen and Essie for helping with cash donations for clothing.
Anyone willing to assist can WhatsApp Tessa Jordaan at 067 191 5187.
