“Fire destroys everything I owned”
A family from Mamelodi East is left with nothing but the clothes on their backs following mysterious fire.
A mysterious fire has literally left the Phasha family of Phomolong in Mamelodi East with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
The family is still shocked and could not explain how the fire started on Wednesday morning.
Catherine Phasha said the fire destroyed everything she owned, but nobody knows what caused it.
She said she left her 13-year-old boy alone at home and went to work at around 07:00.
“Few minutes later after boarding a taxi the neighbours called me, telling me that a fire was destroying my four-roomed shack house,” said Phasha.
“Nobody knows what happened or who started it. My son is lucky to be alive, he narrowly escaped the fire.”
According to the neighbours, the fire started at the wooden storeroom at the back and spread quickly to the shack while her son was preparing to go to school.
The neighbours saw smoke billowing from the storeroom at the back and rushed to check whether someone was inside the house.
“They tried everything they could to stop the fire with water buckets but it only took a few minutes before the entire house caught fire and destroyed everything.”
The Phasha family lost everything: their furniture, clothing, and valuable documents, including IDs and birth certificates.
“My children lost their school uniforms and books,” said Phasha.
Phasha said she was grateful that nobody was injured, despite losing her home and belongings.
Since they are now left with nothing, the family is desperate for donations to help rebuild their lives.
Local ward councillor Dorcus Maja visited the family after the fire and donated food parcels, blankets and mattresses.
“We are trying to help the family in any way we can,” said Maja.
The councillor also bought a two-roomed shack and the community members will be rebuilding the shack for the family.
The family is currently staying with neighbours. Anyone who wants to help the Phasha family with donations can contact Catherine Phasha on 076-119-7119.
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