‘Things we lost in the fire’

A FAMILY in Malvern lost all of their belongings when their home was engulfed in fire on Thursday, 3 September. According to reports from the fire fighters, the fire might have been a result of an electrical fault as they heavily suspect that it may have started in the roof and spread all over the house before it was noticeable.

“On the day, my wife left the house at about 11.20am, and at about 1.05pm, the neighbours called her to tell her that they had noticed smoke coming from the house,” said tenant, Phillip Snyman.

Confused and helpless, Snyman’s wife rushed back home only to find that the fire was getting hotter and melting their belongings. “I was in Pietermaritzburg at the time and had to rush back home to be with my family,” he added. Snyman said that when he eventually got home, he felt helpless and all he could do was comfort his family and watch them cry while fire-fighters worked tirelessly to extinguish the blaze.

This is the second time we have lost everything in a space of five years – Phillip Snyman.

Although they lost everything except a microwave and fridge, he said that he was impressed by how quickly the fire department responded to their call, and for that he was grateful.

Snyman said this is the second time they had lost everything. “In a space of five years, we have lost everything twice. Before we moved to Malvern, we lived in Johannesburg,” he explained. They allowed an entrusted friend to move in with them, only to come back home to an empty house – the friend had stolen everything.

“What we are currently going through is indescribable. I’ve had to borrow money to make sure my family is not ashamed of the situation and that they have clothes of their own again. It is very difficult,” he said. “My younger daughter’s school hosted a fête and gave my wife all the money they made on the day. Another lady said she would donate some household items to us. We refuse no donations, and we are grateful for everything.”

Although the Synmans lost items of sentimental value, such as photographs, documentation and countless memories, they are keeping a positive attitude about the situation and are grateful that nobody got hurt in the fire.