Fire leaves family of eight without a home
Family of eight in dire straits after fire destroyed their West Porges home.
A family of eight has no home, no possessions and is living in a tent – all because of a fire.
On Sunday morning, 13 August their lives changed forever when fire ravaged their house on Benson Street and took everything they owned. Four adults and four children had to be saved from the burning house.
Read more: #WhatToDo: Regarding home fire safety
According to owner, Mariam Sojane, the fire started at about 2.15am. It is believed her son had a heater on in the lounge and allegedly saw a blue flash coming from the plug, although the distribution box switch did not trip. The next moment the fire broke out, at first affecting only a part of the house.
Mariam’s son, Piet, immediately ran to the police station close to the house. A police member called the fire brigade, but Piet claimed they arrived only 30 minutes later. He also claimed that firefighters had to go back to the station and fetch more water.
“By then it was too late. We have nothing, we lost everything in the fire,” he told the Herald.
Eddie Krog, PR councillor, told the Herald that neither the children nor the adults were assessed by a medical practitioner and that he was concerned about their wellbeing.
No-one in the family is employed and they have no assets. The MMC for Health and Social Development, Anna Gela, did, however, provide the family with a tent to stay in and has since arranged for food and other necessities to meet their basic needs.
Read more: Public Safety Dept addresses fire safety at home
Eddie appeals to the community to help the family to get back on their feet. If you are able to help, contact Eddie on 083 324 8656.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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