Meadowlands family left homeless after fire destroyed their home
The family was shocked when neighbours barged into the yard alerting them that there was smoke coming through the house roof.
A family in meadowlands has been left homeless after a fire raptured through their home on Tuesday morning.
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The family was shocked when neighbours barged into the yard alerting them that there was smoke coming through the house roof.
“The fire was coming from one of the bedrooms, that’s where the fire started but we still don’t know what may have been the cause,” said Vincent Khusela, as he recalled the traumatic day.
Khusela, a 78 year-old pensioner was with his wife when the fire broke out. The pair shares the house with one of their grandchildren.
“If it was not for the lady who arrived, we would have died in the house.
“Our neighbours tried putting out the fire using a hose pipe and buckets but the wave of fire rapidly spread out and was starting to heighten, shattering windows.”
Khusela described the incident as an utter shock, as they could not salvage any of their belongings.
He said the house was not insured as it was cancelled after he went into pension years ago.
“We are extremely shocked and devastated. The fire ravaged through all parts of the house and now we have nothing except the clothes on our backs,” an emotional Khusela.
“It has taken everything from us; we would have never thought that we would one day be homeless especially at our vulnerable age.”
Following the incident, the paramedics who were on scene took the pair to a nearby clinic, where they were treated for shock and smoke inhalation.
One of two daughters, Nomonde Madau who spoke to Urban News said the elderly couple was seeking shelter at a neighbour’s house until they could figure out their next move.
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Madau said her biggest worry was her father’s deteriorating health, citing she feared that the incident would add to his health issues, referring to his urinary catheters and inability to get around.
“It is extremely sad, when I was born, my father was already hurt so I’ve never seen him right but he fought through that and paid for this house until it was finished and then to see it go down and left in that state in less than an hour is heart wrenching. Last month we were burying my elder brother and now this,” she said.
The family appealed to the public for any assistance.
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