Public appealed for help after fire leaves east couple with nothing
The couple escaped unharmed when their Donkerhoek home burned down, but they lost all their belongings and now urgently need assistance from the public.
A Pretoria east couple is appealing for public assistance after a fire destroyed their home in Donkerhoek on Sunday morning.
According to Vanessa Jacobs, the fire broke out at about 08:00 while her sister and her fiancé were sleeping.
She said the fire is believed to have started after lightning during bad weather.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries. They lost everything in the fire. My sister only has her pyjama top and pants,” said Jacobs.
The couple is currently staying in an empty house on the same property.
“They are in urgent need of food, clothes, a fridge and a washing machine. They also need bedding, curtains and towels,” she said.
Natasha said the experience has been devastating.
“Yesterday, some family members gave us a few toothbrushes, a bar of soap and a couple of outfits from their own cupboards. We’re sitting in front of our house, and it’s devastating,” she said.
She said bedding is their biggest need at the moment.
Natasha added that transport is also a major challenge, as their car keys burnt in the fire.
“Many people want to help, but we can’t fetch anything because our car keys burnt in the fire,” she said.
According to Natasha, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
She said the fire started in the upstairs bathroom of their double-storey house.
“My partner woke up, saw the house on fire and shouted for me to get out. We suspect it might be the geyser or possibly lightning due to the bad weather,” she said.
The couple had cancelled their insurance after moving into the house because it was too expensive.
Despite the loss, Natasha said they are grateful to be alive with no injuries.
“Thankfully, neither of us needs medical attention. We’re both fine and grateful to be alive.
We are appealing to the public for any assistance as we try to rebuild our lives.”
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