Home owners do not know the cause of the fire
RANDPARK RIDGE – The home owner comments on the devastating fire at Sycamore Street on 28 February.
A fire erupted inside a shed at a residence on Sycamore Street in Randpark Ridge on 28 February at around 4pm. See previous story.
Mapalesa Shotelo the domestic worker, her son and grandson were at home but they were not hurt.
Dominique Shotelo (son) commented, ”I was changing to go out with my friends and I saw the Wendy-house was on fire. I quickly called my mom to tell her.”
Mapalesa alerted the Hunters Hill Fire Department.
The fire led to the explosion of two gas cylinders, which alerted the neighbours. The cause of the fire is still not clear.
Rosemarié Bezuidenhout, owner of the house, who was away at the time, said that they cannot understand how the fire started.
Daughter Lara Bezuidenhout commented, ”I had toys and teddy bears stored in the shed that I was going to donate. It’s all gone now.”
Neighbours heard the loud explosions and quickly brought hose pipes to extinguish the flames.
The heavy rain help put out some of the flames with the assistance of Hunters Hill Fire Department.
Bezuidenhout said, ”We had three gas cylinders stored in the shed, one 3kg and two smaller ones. We are waiting for an assessment from the insurance as we still cannot figure out how the fire could have started.”
Other than losing many precious items like books, clothes, bicycles and toys, the internet connection is down due to the fire destroying the cables and wires.
Shotelo commented, ”The fire department took a while to respond to the fire, we were so lucky to have the heavy rains and kind neighbours to help us.”
Platoon commander of Hunters Hill Fire Department Fortune Rakgatlha was on scene and assured everyone that the fire was swiftly controlled by the crew.
