VEREENIGING.- A mysterious fire left devastation and sorrow on the hearts and faces of approximately five families renting a house on Lewis Avenue in Vereeniging.

The fire broke out at around 11:00, yesterday morning.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster one of the tenants, wishing to remain anonymous, said she and other tenants were at the back of the house doing laundry when someone informed them that there was smoke coming out of the house. Upon closer investigation, they discovered that a wooden Wendy house in the yard was on fire.

They attempted to put out the fire using water but the fire was too strong, and because the Wendy was close to the main house the flames quickly spread to the house. Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Fire and Rescue Services were dispatched to the scene. ELM spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni said that the crew doused the fire until they ran out of water and had to go and refill while they were waiting for backup.

In a matter of minutes, the whole house was covered in flames. Ward 15 Councillor, Prudence Hlanyane was also promptly on the scene.  She said: “I want to thank Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) Disaster Management team and Red Cross Vereeniging for their speedy response in providing the victims with blankets and mattresses and food packs.”

Approximately five families (six adults and five children between the ages of three and 10) were affected by the fire that left them with only the clothes they were wearing.

The cause of the fire is unknown.