‘Shack fire took everything we owned’ – east family
“Within seconds one of the shacks was on fire and it quickly spread to other shack rooms.”
A family of more than 10 members has been forced to sleep in a four-roomed house after their shacks and a storeroom were destroyed by fire in Mamelodi West, section B3.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening around 22:00.
Family member Mmapule Sambo (24) said the fire mysteriously started in one of the four shacks, while they were outside sitting by a fire they had made to keep warm.
She said she saw flames from the back of the shacks and thought it was the neighbours who had made a fire.
“Within seconds, one of the shacks was on fire and the fire quickly spread to other rooms,” said Sambo.
She said they lost everything they owned and were left only with the clothes on their backs.
“I could not believe that the huge fire was coming out of the four shacks and the neighbours were running around with water buckets trying to put the fire out,” said Mmapule.
She said neighbours called the Tshwane emergency services who were delayed as the area is in an informal settlement.
The fire had already consumed almost all four shacks and a storeroom where chairs and pots were stored.
“We are lucky that everyone escaped the fire, except for my cousin who escaped with minor injuries when he was trying to put out the fire in his shack,” she said.
The Sambo family lost everything from clothes, furniture and valuable documents such as ID books, bank cards, Sassa cards and the children’s school books.
Sambo said they had no choice but to start all over as some of the family were unemployed.
Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Charles Mabaso said the callout was received at approximately 22:16, reporting that a house was on fire.
“Two fire engines and a command vehicle were dispatched to the incident. Upon arrival, it was found that shacks were on fire,” said Mabaso.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire and no injuries were reported.
Mabaso said that the cause of the fire had not been determined yet.
The Sambo family pleaded with the public to help with anything to get them back on their feet including clothes, school uniforms, stationery for the children, blankets and furniture.
Mmapule Sambo may be contacted on 066 211 0883.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
