Landmark goes up in flames

Gallery: See photos here

A devastating fire that broke out just after dawn on Sunday completely destroyed the well-known double-storeyed timber house in Nederland Park’s Lion Cachet Street.

No loss of life or injuries were reported but occupants, a father, son and grandson, were left with only the clothes on their backs as the structure was reduced to ashes.

Onlookers stared in disbelief as fire-fighters from Msukaligwa Fire and Rescue Services battled bravely to contain the blaze which spread rapidly through the once stately home.

The exact cause of the fire was not known by the time of going to print.

News of the fire was carried on the Highvelder’s social media network and within minutes messages of shock and support came flooding in from far and wide.

Former owners and many people who had visited in the house shared their memories and experiences they had enjoyed in the house that was built in 1985.

A former owner, Doreen Staarup who now lives in Rustenburg, wrote: “Today my heart is unbelievably sad for the people who lost everything in this beautiful home, a home we owned and lived in for much of our children’s young lives. This was a home with many stories, it was warm, cosy, and we loved coming home from a holiday to the smell of the wood after it had been closed up.

We have many, many wonderful memories here as well as memories of hard times in Ermelo, but it was always great to come back to my ‘home. It’s so sad to see it destroyed! We are thinking of the people that have lost everything and trust that God will comfort them. I know it’s only material things, but it’s your entire livelihood, photos, family memories, etc. that are lost. Simply devastating. We were the second owners and bought the home from the man who built it.

I remember hearing voices outside one day and walking to the upstairs window, which was my children’s bedroom, and seeing about 15 foreigners who had stopped outside our home in a mini-bus, all standing taking photos with our house as the backdrop.

The guide was speaking about the fact that it was the only timber home in Ermelo. I found it rather lovely and amusing and felt very blessed to have this as my home.”

Other former owners, Johan and Adri du Plessis who now live in Bethlehem in the Free State, were also saddened by the news that the quaint home was no more.

“We lived in that house for 13 years and sold it to the present owners 18 months ago. There are so many memories of that house. It had a warm and homely aura about it and we were really happy living there. There was so much love in that house,” said Johan.

The present owner could not be contacted by the time of going to print.