GALLERY: Fire leaves family destitute

MEMBERS of the Maseko family at Sasko (Bhekuzulu Ext are very lucky to be alive after their house caught light on Monday morning, leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

According to Ntombi Mkhwanazi, a mother of six children, the flame was started by a candle, which was left alight by one of the children in the morning.

“He went to fetch his school shoes at a neighbour’s house and the candle must have set light on one of the curtains as upon his return the whole house was on fire,” said this shaken resident.

At the time when the fire started, the only adult in the house was a bed-ridden Mr Maseko.

After hearing the roar of the fire and screams from the children, neighbours rushed to the house to help get the children and Mr Maseko out of the raging fire which is said to have taken about half an hour to extinguish before finally subsiding with the fire brigade’s help.

The fire engine had to be driven three times to Jan Moolman street for the nearest hydrant to refill

before the fire was put out, completely.

Unfortunately nothing else could be saved from the enraged flames which burned the whole house down to coal and ashes.

The community members of Sasko claim that had there been electricity in the area, such accidents could be avoided easily as this is not the first house to burn down another one also went up in flames due to a gas stove.

Sitting outside on the patch of grass in front of the burned out shell of what used to be their house (the only part of their home left unscorched) the begrieved family recalled one by one all the items they had lost to the fire.

“We had just recently bought brand new furniture and I had stocked new items to sell as I am a vendor and make ends meet by selling clothing and blankets,” said Ntombi.

The family slept at a neighbour’s house on Monday evening after the municipal workers who visited them that day and promised to seek food and shelter for them did not return.

The Maseko family is seeking help from any community member who might be able to help them with food or clothing.

They have one 17 year old girl (who goes to Shongololo combined school), a 16 year old boy (who goes to Hluma Primary), two eight year old boys (who go to Shongololo), a six year old boy (who goes to Hluma) and a four year old boy.

Anyone who might be able to lend a hand is requested to contact Ntombi at 073 625 5501.