Alexandra family appeals for help after household belongings destroyed in house fire
Community members rallied with water buckets to save an 11th Avenue home, but a fire triggered by a faulty heater cable left a family without furniture and vital documents.
An Alexandra family is counting the cost of a fire that destroyed their household belongings on August 23.
Although neighbours rushed in with buckets of water to douse the flames before they could consume the whole house, the family lost several pieces of furniture and important documents.
Faulty heater cable sparks fire
Simon Shivambu, who lives in the house with his family, including two children, said the fire started with a faulty heater cable. The cable ignited and quickly set a nearby couch alight.
“By the time I saw the fire, the couch was already burning. I rushed to take a bucket of water to put out the fire, but the flames were strong. I poured the second bucket of water, but the fire became worse. The bed, which was close to the couch, had already caught fire too,” he recalled.
As Shivambu battled to bring the flames under control, one of the children ran out of the house to call for help. Community members soon arrived and managed to put the fire out before it could destroy the entire home.
Read more: Fire guts 15 shacks in Alexandra
Even so, the experience left Shivambu shaken.
“By the time people arrived to help, I was traumatised, seeing my belongings burning,” he said.
Counting the losses
The fire claimed more than just the couch and bed. Shivambu said the family’s television and washing machine were also destroyed. Among the losses that hit hardest were documents, including birth certificates, although Shivambu said they had already been promised assistance in replacing them.
With the flames extinguished, the family has been left to sift through what remains of their belongings and take stock of the damage.
In the aftermath, neighbours have stepped forward with offers of support. Shivambu said some have pledged to help replace the home’s charred ceiling and install new floor tiles, while others have offered to repaint the fire-damaged walls.
The family has already received a school uniform for their 15-year-old child, who attends a local school.
Also read: Fire rips through shacks in Alexandra
Appeal for further support
Despite the goodwill shown so far, the family says there is still a long way to go in rebuilding what was lost, and they are appealing to the wider community for further assistance.
“It could be help to get a bed, TV, or anything they can help with,” Shivambu said.
Anyone who wishes to help can reach out to him on 078 546 9498 or visit their house at 149 11th Avenue in Alexandra.
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