Meadowlands family left devastated after gas leak sparks house fire
A family member confirmed that he was on the phone with his sister trying to give directions on how to put the gas heater on when he heard a scream that the house was on fire.
EMS firefighters responded to a fire incident in Meadowlands Zone 9 on August 11, a few minutes before 13:00.
Upon arrival, the team found a four-roomed house engulfed in flames. An elderly female and another family member, believed to be in their 30s, were transported to hospital by ambulances after sustaining burns.
Speaking to Urban News, a family member, Tumelo Motsumi, said: “When the whole ordeal happened, I was on the phone trying to give instructions on how to put the gas heater on; they struggled, and I recall just hearing screams that the house was on fire. I left Brixton, where I was and went straight home only to find out that my family was transported to hospital with the house burnt.”
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Motsumi shared that this was an emotional moment for him; he realised that he could have lost his family, including his mother and sibling, in the blink of an eye.
The cause of the fire is suspected to be a leaking gas cylinder.
‘’EMS continues to advise residents of Johannesburg to exercise caution when using electrical appliances and to remain vigilant for leaking gas cylinders,’’ said Xolile Khumalo, EMS communications officer.
The family is requesting for any assistance that can be given, especially with the house structure, doors and windows.
Contact details for donations are 065 889 97552 (Tumelo Motsumi).
