Family escapes unharmed as fire razes east home
The family lost everything in the fire that erupted when a 13-year-old girl started a coal fire to keep her three siblings warm on a chilly Saturday afternoon.
A Mamelodi family is being sheltered by neighbours after their home was destroyed in a fire.
The family lost everything in the fire that erupted when a 13-year-old girl started a coal fire to keep her three siblings warm on a chilly Saturday afternoon.
The four-roomed shack in Skierlik informal settlement in the far east of Mamelodi caught fire, burning everything in the house. Jeremiah Mbabale (47) said they lost everything they owned and were left only with the clothes on their backs.
An 18-month-old family puppy that was trapped in the house when the fire started sadly died in the blaze. Mbabale said he was on his way back from work with his wife when they got a call from the neighbours to rush home.
I could not believe that the huge fire was coming out of our four-roomed family house and neighbours were running around with water buckets trying put out the fire, said Mbabale.
We are lucky that everyone escaped with no injuries, except for Bathate, the puppy, the much-loved family pet who has been part of the family for some time now, said Mbabale.
Mbabale said the neighbours managed to push away his car, which was parked next to the family shack before it could be destroyed by the fire.
The neighbours also called the Tshwane emergency services who arrived a little bit late as the area is in an informal settlement.
The fire had already consumed the whole house when they arrived. We are currently staying in a two-roomed shack belonging to one of our neighbours, said Mbabale.
He said his daughter told him she was trying to make the fire to keep everyone warm when the coal stove fell and caught fire which quickly spread.
The next thing the whole house was on fire. She and the other children managed to escape through the window, said Mbabale.
Mbabale said his brother-in-law’s shack which was on the same premises was also damaged by the fire.
A neighbour said everything happened so fast.
We heard the children screaming “fire” and when we went to investigate half of the shack was engulfed by the blaze, said the neighbour.
Mbabale’s family has pleaded with the public to help with anything that can get them to get back on their feet including clothes, school uniforms, stationery for the children, blankets and furniture. Jeremiah Mbabale may be contacted on 078-950-0752.
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