UPDATE: Birchleigh home burns, family of five needs help

AN unemployed Birchleigh mother and her four sons find themselves in dire straits after a fire engulfed their Cuyler Street home.

Jehandre Keyter said her sister Danielle Vosloo (29) and her children, aged three, five, eight and 10, lost everything in the fire on Wednesday afternoon around 12.30pm and will need help to get themselves back on their feet.

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Danielle is still seeking employment as a skilled and experienced employee recruitment agent.

“We are fortunately that there were no injuries when the fire erupted. Danielle was at home with the two youngest boys, while the eight-year-old and 110-year-old were at Laerskool Birchleigh.

“The family lost everything and the only clothes they have are the ones they were wearing when this happened. The boys lost the rest of their uniforms. Danielle wears clothes size 36 and shoe size six but as for the boys people can donate anything that can fit any of them,” said Keyter.

Ward councillor Gideon van Zyl was among the people that praised the joint efforts by members of Birchleigh neighbourhood watch and SSS Security who helped the family as soon as they heard the news.

Van Zyl said, “Just before the fire engines arrived, SSS Security had connected a string of pipes to a water hydrant to get ready to put out the fire. Neighbourhood watch members rushed inside the home to remove two gas bottles and also dug up the dirt covering the nearest water hydrant.

“I want to also advise residents to ensure they do not cover water hydrants with grass or any dirt and always make sure the hydrant holes are clean. Neighbourhood watch members said they struggled a bit to locate the hydrant and when they found it, it did not work. They had to locate another one close-by.

“I have contacted the relevant department about the hydrant and I will raise this point to council. Council needs to ensure these hydrants are working because not long ago we had another house on fire, so it is of vital importance to maintain these hydrants.

“I also think it is crucial for council to train and provide resources to neighbourhood watch members because they are usually first on the scene and can provide a lot of help.”

People wishing to help Danielle’s family can contact Jehandre Keyter on 071 180 8118 or Herman van Wyk on 062 120 6467.