Mams woman saves brother-in-law from burning shack
“As I exited, I saw the flames growing bigger and spreading to the other rooms including my room, destroying all the furniture and the children’s clothes.”
A Mamelodi woman told Record how she saved her brother-in-law who was trapped in a burning shack over the weekend.
Remmina Shisana (31), from Phomolong informal settlement, said they were all lucky to be alive after the fire that started at around 22:00 on Sunday.
If it wasn’t for the neighbour who shouted that their shack was on fire, they would all have died in the fire.
It was still not clear how the fire, which destroyed all three shack rooms leaving the family homeless, started.
“We were deeply asleep with our two children while my brother-in-law was asleep in the room where the fire started,” said Shisana.
The family narrowly escaped death and they could only save themselves leaving everything behind to perish in the fire.
Shisana said there was “no time to think”.
“When I awoke in a smoke-filled room, my first thought was for my two children’s safety.
“I just grabbed them and ran outside for safety.”
However, it was then that she realised that her brother-in-law was still inside the burning shack.
“He was trapped inside and could not get out.”
Remmina said she had to force the door open to free her brother-in-law.
“The screams alerted the neighbours who came rushing with water buckets, but the fire was too big by then to put out,” said Remmina.
Brother-in-law Vusi Mabuzwa (37) said he couldn’t remember much of the evening.
“When I went to bed, everything was still fine. I switched off all the lights everything and went to sleep.
“The smoke and fire woke me up and I found I was trapped,” said Mabuzwa.
“My brother’s wife saved my life. If it wasn’t for her, I would have died in that fire.”
He said there was no time to put on proper clothes or save any of his furniture.
Mabuzwa said they couldn’t even rescue a single shoe from the fire.
“I don’t know where to even start rebuilding. We are all unemployed and depend on temporary jobs.
“As I exited the shack, I saw the flames growing bigger and spreading to the other rooms including my room, destroying all the furniture and children’s clothes.”
Mabuzwa said they lost everything they owned and were left only with the clothes they were wearing at the time of the fire.
“I couldn’t believe how big the fire was,” said Mabuzwa.
“We are lucky that everyone managed to get out in time.”
In addition to clothes and furniture, the family also lost valuable documents such as ID books, bank cards, Sassa cards and the children’s school books.
Tshepo Mmakanyane, the founder of the Tshepo Art and Project, donated four plastic bags full of clothes and 22 pairs of shoes to the family.
Community members have already started helping rebuild the shack, but are struggling to get roof materials.
Anyone who wants to help the family can contact Remmina Shisana on 068 182 8356.
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