Memories destroyed in an instant

A fire destroyed a garage and 70 years of memories along with it. On Thursday, August 10 around 16:10 a fire started in Claudine McCabe’s garage in Ferdinand Street.

“I was standing outside with my son, Sebastian and his friend, Dean Spencer. Dean noticed something strange in the garage and Sebastian went to have a look. When he saw the fire, I immediately ran for the hose pipe, unwound it and Sebastian took the clip off. I shouted to Dean to get the car keys, as it was parked in the garage. We managed to get the car out safely, with minimal damage. I also made a call on the radio and Wouter Fourie immediately made phone calls to the ambulance and fire brigade. I then went to fetch my husband at work,” Claudine said.

She also added that when she arrived back home, her yard was full of people.

“Everyone was just here to help, trying to kill the fire. Sebastian was on the band saw, trying to kill the fire and his face got burnt. He also inhaled smoke, but managed to get out before the roof conked in on him. I would have lost him,” said Claudine.

Sebastian said that he just heard a cracking sound and knew that he had to get out.

It is still unclear what started the fire, but Claudine said that the firemen said it apparently started at the Eskom power box in the garage.

“It does not make sense to me. I did laundry, cleaned the house and I was busy with food on my gas stove when the fire started. We have been living here for 17 years and not once did anything like this happen. It is actually my mom in law’s house; the wall of her room is busy cracking as the garage is connected to her room. She is still on holiday in Australia,” said Claudine

“Telkom was also here to fix the telephone lines and the technician said that the wires and stuff inside the roof is also damaged.”

Claudine also said that she saw that the fire fighter put the oxygen bottle in water, but it also got damaged.

The fire brigade busy putting out the fire in Ferdinand Street on Thursday, August 10.

“The fire started up again on the same day, but we managed to put it out. On Sunday, around 09:40 the fire started again. This time Sebastian opened all the little heaps and put the fire out completely,” said Claudine.

The McCabe family wants to thank Wouter Fourie, who immediately responded to Claudines distress call on the radio.
Also, the paramedics of ER24, especially Maritza Schoeman, who is a close family friend and the paramedics of Legacy Emergency Specialists.

“I would also like to thank Sebastian and Dean, as well as everyone who helped to put the fire out and who assisted in carrying everything out that could have led to further damage. Also my husband, Eugene, for his comfort, help and support,” said Claudine.

She thanked Madelon Troskie and JJJ Viljoen, as well as David and Dennis from the fire brigade who came back the next day to ensure that everything was in order. The family also wants to thank the fire brigade, who was there within about 15 minutes.

The McCabe family is still busy picking up the pieces after the fire, and are still waiting for their insurance to process the claim.

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https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/96249/family-memories-perish-fire/