Family home destroyed in fire
The couple lost not only their belongings, but precious memorabilia, such as their wedding clothes they kept for 44 years.
A family in the north of Pretoria were still sorting through the rubble and ash for all that was left of their belongings after a fire claimed their home two weeks ago.
On Saturday, June 26, two massive wildfires in Bultfontein and Lusthof did damage to around 14 properties (119ha land), another 80ha, an orchard and also the thatch roof home of Wilma (65) and Deon (67) Joubert.
The Joubert couple had lived in their house on a smallholding in Lusthof since 1992.
The elderly pair lost not only all their precious belongings in the fire, but their two cars were also damaged.
Their daughter Natacha Uys told Rekord that her parents were not at home when the fire started.
The Jouberts had taken their grandchildren, Misha (5) and Ivan (4) out to Hartbeespoort dam for the day.
“The fire seemingly started on the grounds behind my parents’ home,” Uys said.
Uys and her husband Heinrich, who live close by, first saw the smoke near her parents’ house.
“When we went to inspect we saw the fire moving in the direction towards my parents’ plot. We went to get the water tanker to wet the roof and also contacted our neighbourhood watch to assist.”
Uys said strong winds had direct influence on the spread of the fire and a sudden change in direction of the wind caused her parents’ home to become engulfed in flames.
Uys said her husband and around 45 people from their neighbourhood watch, community and Apies river firefighters joined in the effort to fight the fire that raged through the Joubert couple’s property.
Uys said her husband got onto the roof of her parents’ house to try and remove the smouldering thatch in an effort to prevent the fire spreading to the rest of the house.
“I was busy helping when I got an asthma attack from inhaling so much smoke,” said Uys.
“The emergency personnel removed me from the scene and treated me with oxygen.”
Uys said her husband also suffered burn wounds and had to be treated for his injuries.
Luckily, she said, no one was too seriously injured and there were no casualties.
The Joubert couple’s home was unfortunately lost.
Uys shared with Rekord an emotional voice recording wherein she told her mum that she was sorry she could not save their home.
Her parents said they not only lost their belongings in the fire, but precious memorabilia.
Among the ash and debris of their home, the family found pieces of the wedding dress Wilma had kept for 44 years.
Wilma was saddened about the loss of the letters Deon wrote to her while he was still in the army in his youth.
Uys said the only belongings of significance the couple got back, was a small statue of an angel and her mum’s wedding ring.
Community members opened their hearts to donate food and clothes to the couple.
The family was still in need of household items to start their life anew.
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