‘It was difficult seeing 18 years of hard work burn,’ Birch Acres fire victim shares
“We have been so overwhelmed by the kindness of our community,” one of the victims said.
A Birch Acres family who suffered a house fire on Wednesday evening is nearly back on their feet thanks to their kind-hearted community.
“Residents from all over Birch Acres and Terenure donated clothing and blankets within two hours of the fire,” said Anuska Engelbrecht, managing director of Alleycats Community Watch.
“Donations, including monitory donations, are still flowing in for the family, it’s just amazing,” she added, unable to hide her tears.
The Davis family of three, together with their extended family of three who was visiting, were sitting in their television room when they smelt smoke just after 6pm.
“We went to the DB board but couldn’t see anything,” father and husband Gareth Davis (50) told Express.
“Then, we saw smoke coming from one of the back rooms. When we opened the door, the room was already filled with smoke and flames.”
The family tried to kill the fire with water, but when the smoke became unbearable they exited the house.
“We tried to kill the fire from outside but it was too late. The fire brigade arrived shortly after,” Davis explained.
This Reiger Park Secondary School teacher and his wife Maryke (43) have lived in their home on Bromvoël Street for 18 years. They have a 15-year-old son, who is a learner at Reiger Park.
“It was difficult watching 18 years of hard work burn, but we are glad everyone is safe. We’ll start over,” Davis said.
“We have been so overwhelmed by the kindness of our community, not just the people in our street, but people from all over.”
Davis commented that it was still unclear why the fire started but he does not plan to find a new home anytime soon.
“We will move on from this, and we will rebuild our home.”
The Davis’ are currently living with family in Rhodesfield.
