Neighbours winch gate open to rescue family from KwaDukuza house fire
Two of the family members sustained serious injuries as a result of the fire, which is believed to have been cause by loadshedding.
A KwaDukuza family of five were saved from a blaze early this morning after quick thinking from neighbouring residents allowed access to their house.
One of the family members was critically injured and one seriously injured with the remaining three suffering minor injuries.
Just after 3am, a home on High Street in KwaDukuza’s Ocean View area – known as the Glass House – caught alight, trapping its inhabitants.
When neighbours noticed the flames they rushed to help, but found it initially impossible to enter the property.
“The house was very well secured and the family were unable to open the gate for access.
“Neighbours grabbed a car winch and started to tear down the main gate and palisade fence,” said IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson, Dylan Meyrick.
Photo: IPSS Medical Rescue.
The slam lock gate on the main door of the house also had to be winched.
Once the home was accessible, KwaDukuza fire officers and neighbours worked together in order to save the family.
It is understood that two family members on the ground floor were those who were most seriously injured, including an elderly man who was critical when transported to hospital by paramedics.
“Both of those on the ground floor had significant burn wounds and smoke inhalation, while the elderly man also had a cardiac issue. They were stabilised before being taken to a specialised facility,” said Meyrick.
The remaining three members of the family were on the first floor and were able to escape serious injury by jumping from the balcony.
The house was completely destroyed, with the KwaDukuza Fire Department able to prevent further spread to other homes.
Photo: IPSS Medical Rescue.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but it is believed to have been caused as a result of loadshedding.
KwaDukuza experienced loadshedding from 1am-3am this morning, matching the timeline of the fire which is thought to have started when power came back on.
The KwaDukuza Fire Department warned residents to be extra cautious when loadshedding was scheduled, citing an increase in fires when there are increased outages.
The department said multiple fires had recently been recorded after pool pumps, appliances and inverters had malfunctioned once power was restored.
Older cables at plug points were at particular risk of catching alight, said the department.
This aside from the increase in fires caused by candle use, for which there has naturally been greater need in the past year.
To report a fire in KwaDukuza, call the Fire Department at 032 946 2711.
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