70-year-old Ratanda woman appeals for donations after devastating house fire leaves family destitute
A family in Phungwayo Street, Ratanda, has lost most of its belongings after a fire severely damaged their home on November 8. The family is appealing for donations of food, clothing, blankets, furniture and building materials to help them rebuild.
A Ratanda family is appealing for assistance after a devastating fire severely damaged their home in Phungwayo Street on November 8, leaving them without most of their belongings.
Maria Khanye (70) said the fire broke out at around midday while she was attending church. Tenants living at the property alerted her after the flames engulfed the house.
According to Khanye, two children, a three-year-old boy and a nine-year-old girl, were inside the house when the fire broke out. Fortunately, everyone escaped unharmed, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.
“We have lost almost everything in the fire because our clothes, blankets, furniture and food were destroyed, and the house itself was badly damaged. It is heartbreaking because we now have to start all over again, and we do not have the financial means to rebuild our home. No one in the family is employed, and we depend on social grants to survive. This has left us in a very difficult situation because we do not know where to start,” she said.
Khanye appealed to community members, businesses, organisations, and anyone who might be in a position to assist the family during this difficult time.
“We are appealing for any form of assistance, whether it is food, clothes, blankets, furniture or building materials. Even the smallest donation would mean a lot to us because we have lost so much. We would appreciate any help that could make it possible for us to rebuild our home and replace some of the essential things we lost. We are asking people to please lend a helping hand during this difficult time,” she said.
Community members responded to the emergency and worked together to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties while awaiting assistance from the Lesedi Fire and Emergency Department.
Firefighters later arrived and extinguished the blaze, but the cause remains unknown. Anyone wishing to assist the Khanye family with donations can contact Maria Khanye on 073 481 0711.
