Rising from the ashes

After Colleen Breust lost her family home to a fire, the communities of Berario and Randpark Ridge stood together to help one of their own.

Breust’s home caught fire on the afternoon of 22 October while her daughter (30) was still in the home.

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Breust’s daughter Linsey Lester told Northcliff Melville Times that the private investigation outcome pointed towards the geyser as the source of the fire.

“She [the investigator] said this is actually very common and that your geyser should be inspected regularly,” Lester explained.

While the fire consumed the entire home, fortunately, Lester’s sister was not injured.

Although the Breust family home burnt down, a car on the property as well as gardening equipment caught fire as well. Breust’s livelihood depends on the equipment as she runs a gardening service.

Lester said the community support the family has seen has been overwhelming since the fire. She explained that Breust was looking for a place to live while her insurance claim is processed and one community member who has a cottage on their property offered her a place to stay.

“To still struggle with credit checks and looking for places, this was so amazing. With no questions asked, my mother took a tour of the place and was given keys,” Lester said.

While much has been collected for the family, there is still much more they do not have especially when it comes to gardening equipment.

Lester said those who still want to donate anything towards the family as they now need to start all over, they can drop them off at one of two drop-off points. For more information about the family’s needs, contact Lester on 072 595 3782.

Drop-off points:

• 21 Rosyntjiebos, Randpark Ridge
• 206 Matagorda Avenue (on the corner of Wyoming and Matagorda avenues), Berario.

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