Ward councillor Angus McKenzie has urged the community to help the victims of a fire that broke out at this Bramble Way property.
Bonteheuwel’s ward councillor has appealed to the public to help the victims of a fire at a Bramble Way property.
The fire started after 4am on Friday January 20, apparently after a candle overturned, and swept through a house and two wendy houses before firefighters extinguished it shortly before 6am, according to City Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse.
There were no injuries or deaths, but the fire displaced eight people, he said.
However, Jamie-Lee Petersen, 31, who lives in the house, said about 30 people, including several children, had lost their homes because of the fire, which she claimed had also destroyed a third wendy house.
She said she had smelt smoke and noticed flames above the roof after her aunt’s screams had woken her. She had grabbed her 3-year-old son, her 83-year-old grandmother and her bag and run out of the house to the opposite side of the road.
“We had to remove the two cars and a gas tank from the house while trying to remain calm, but it was so traumatic,” she said.
“We hopelessly sat and watched the place take flame. It is really hard to speak about it. It’s the first time something like this has occurred.
“Everyone was in shock and still trying to process everything. We are not blaming anyone; we feel for them. They lost everything in the fire. We are trying to stand together as neighbours.”
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie urged the community to practise fire safety and never leave fires unattended or rely on illegal connections to get electricity.
He said “every utensil, every appliance melted away” in the Bramble Way fire, and children’s schoolbooks, clothing and toys had also not been spared.
“While these families will need to rebuild their lives and homes, which they will, I am sure that we as a broader community will somehow find it inside of ourselves to help them. Help them back on their feet – allow them to find hope in humanity again,” he said.
Anyone able to assist can call Ms Petersen at 081 590 0655.