The veld fire was driven by high winds and the thatch roof of the cottage caught alight.
Chad Ten Doeschate, a senior Halfway House Scout and President Park resident was first on the scene.
He tried to contain the fire using a garden hose, but the borehole pump that supplied water to the property was damaged in the fire, leaving very little water.
Modderfontein and Alexandra emergency services arriving shortly thereafter. It took six tons of water to quell the flames.
Chairman of President Park residents association, John Gainsford said, ” It was only a matter of time. Owners in President Park are regularly asked to maintain their veld grass. But requests fall on deaf ears.”
He thanked the police and Metro police for responding and said, “They also assisted efficiently with removing valuables from adjacent cottages. Luckily the other cottages on the property were spared and nobody was injured.”
