Teacher loses everything in house fire

Princess Nkabinde had only reveled in the comfort of her own home for eight months before it literally came crashing down all around her.

Shrouded in smoke, with debris from her blazing house raining down, the eMondlo school teacher watched incredulously as her dream home became engulfed in flames last Sunday.

Among those watching with her, were Mrs Nkabinde’s 78-year-old mother and her 5-day-old granddaughter who were lucky to make it out of the house unscathed.

“I was sitting in the lounge with my grandchildren and my daughter watching TV, when my son came in from his bedroom and said he could smell something burning. We went outside to see where the smell was coming from and that’s when we realised it was our own home that was on fire,” said Mrs Nkabinde recounting the incident.

“It looked like the fire began in my bedroom. The wind was strong and the fire was spreading rapidly. I shouted for help from my neighbours. They contacted the fire department and the ambulance and they tried to help put the flames out with buckets of water and hose pipes until the fire truck came. It was shocking to stand and look at the house burning. Despite everybody’s attempt to help, every room was gutted and we have no insurance.”

The cause of the fire is yet unknown but Mrs Nkabinde is hopeful that the police investigation will reveal how the fire started.

In the meantime, the Nkanbinde family has been forced to depend on neighbours, close friends and family members for accommodation, food, clothes and basic necessities.

“I am really grateful for the support we received. Even the municipality has assisted us with blankets and a food parcel, but everything we owned was lost in the fire, even my daughter’s books and she is in her matric year. I don’t know what we are going to do now,” concluded Mrs Nkabinde.

Residents who wish to offer Mrs Nkabinde any assistance can contact her directly on 081 816 1858.

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