GRAPHIC: House fire devastates family home in Emdeni
The family said they are unsure what could have caused the blaze, as everything had been switched off before the fire started.
A fire broke out at the Malevu family home in Emdeni North on Thursday morning, October 9, leaving them with nothing after their belongings were reduced to ashes.
Thobile Ngwenya told Urban News that they are unsure what caused the blaze, as her brother, who was the last one at home, said everything had been switched off before he went outside.
“I do not live here, but this is my family home. Around 09:00, I received a call from a neighbour informing me that our home was on fire.
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“I then asked where my brother was and was told he wasn’t home. I called other family members because I was far away, and when they arrived, they updated me on the situation. That’s when I realised how serious it was,” said Ngwenya.
She believes the fire was intensified by the oil and steel stored inside the house, which her brother kept there for safety reasons, as he is a mechanic.
Ngwenya said the community tried to extinguish the flames but could not, as there was no water available at the time.
Visibly emotional, she said the situation has left the family devastated. As she is unemployed and her brother’s work is unstable, recovering from the loss of their home and belongings feels impossible.
“I don’t know where to start or what to fix first – or with what money. This is truly devastating and hard to accept. I still can’t believe this has happened,” she said.
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Bhekumuzi Malevu said this was not the first fire he had experienced in the home. He was once burned in the same house, in his bedroom, and now feels confused and overwhelmed by the repeated incidents.
“I don’t even know what to say or do. I am emotionally drained and struggling to understand what caused this fire,” said Malevu.
Anyone who can assist the family with donations to help them rebuild can contact Ngwenya on 081 785 3657 or 067 647 9637.
