Tragedy struck on Saturday when a massive fire broke out at several living quarters at Villa Gloria in Oatlands, Krugersdorp.

Even though the fire was contained and many dwellings saved, some families lost everything.

Mogale Response Services received a call about a structural fire at 19:50. By the time the fire brigade arrived, the fire had already spread to several other structures, and surrounding structures were in danger of catching fire. The fire was contained at 01:25 yesterday.

Although several patients with mild to severe injuries were treated, there were no fatalities.

The supervisor at Villa Gloria, Jackie van Jaarsveld, says about 17 of the living spaces burnt down.

She lives on a corner and was inside her house when she heard someone screaming that one of her back rooms was on fire. When she went outside, she saw a family coming out of one of the homes with their children.

“There was no electricity for us to start the pump to get water,” she says, explaining that it was load-shedding.

The residents did try to put the fire out with water they had and sand, but it was getting out of control quickly. When a large tree caught fire, they decided to evacuate all residents from their homes, says Van Jaarsveld.

Although many reports state that the fire was due to a gas bottle exploding, Van Jaarsveld says the gas bottle exploded as a result of the fire.

Villa Gloria has been in existence for more than 20 years, and Van Jaarsveld has lived there from the beginning. She says the people are as close to her as family, and that it pains her to see them suffer. They stood together during the fire, she adds.

All of the families who lost their homes have found a safe place to stay with family or friends, either inside or outside of the camp. In addition, a community hall and the daycare centre have been transformed into living spaces for those who could not move in with family.
Van Jaarsveld says there are more than 120 living spaces on the property, with more than 300 people, including children, living there at any given time.

Villa Gloria has been inundated with support from the community and Van Jaarsveld thanks everyone for their love, support and prayers.

“We appreciate it, but I know the people appreciate it more.”