Burst lamp causes fire in Richards Bay
A Richards Bay family's home was destroyed by raging flames.
CITY Fire Department officers rushed to a call-out on Friday afternoon, after flames engulfed a double story flat in Arboretum.
Situated on Naboomnek road, the entire Bezuidenhout home was destroyed in minutes, after an energy-saving lamp burst and set off sparks.
Clothes in the room caught alight, with the fire spreading to the other rooms.
After screams were heard from across the block, residents in the complex ran to investigate.
‘Black smoke was gushing out of the roof. The courtyard’s sliding door burst and shattered and the back bedroom window melted,’ said an onlooker.
Rita Bezuidenhout, who was in the house with her little daughter when the fire started, is still unsettled by what had happened.
‘My daughter (4) was lying in her bedroom and I was downstairs in the lounge. All of a sudden, she came down screaming that there was a fire.
‘I ran up to the room and noticed the roof and built-in cupboards were already on fire.
‘I tried to save our belongings but it was too late,’ she said.
The flat suffered extensive fire and smoke damage, and all personal possessions were destroyed.
Both victims were out of the flat by the time the fire brigade arrived and no injuries were reported.
The family of four were placed in a local Bed and Breakfast until further arrangements could be made.
Local charity volunteer, Merinda Ackerman who drives two self-managed projects called, ‘Walk in faith’ and ‘Care with love’ has played an instrumental role in assisting the victims.
She urges community members to help with any donations, including clothing, food and cash.
Merinda can be contacted on 076 3860806.
