LITTLE did Michelle Coomber know when she left home on Monday, 28 September to fetch the local children from school, that she would lose her belongings in a fire at her home in Kenneth Gardens.
She said at around 12.15pm, a suspected spark from an extension cord for her alarm clock started a fire in her bedroom.
Her hessian bed was the first to go up in flames, while her husband, Errol and five-year-old grandson were at home.
ALSO READ: Attend Umbilo sector three meeting
Michelle said her neighbour, Yolanda Young, ran in to grab her grandson, and took him out of the flat.
Her husband’s eyes were burnt and he was taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.
Her neighbours were also affected as there was no electricity in the building following the fire, and they lost food items in their freezer that they had just bought on pay day.
Water from the fire department also made its way down to the first floor flat, which was flooded.
“I got the phone call when I was out to fetch the local kids to say that there had been a fire at our flat. It has been hard waking up in the morning since, to realise I have lost all my clothes, even my toothbrush! I never thought this would happen to me, but at least we have our lives,” she said.
Michelle said she got goosebumps thinking about the response from the community, who rallied around and made generous donations to the family.
She said her neighbours were also housing her and helping to clean up her flat.
“It has been hard, I lost everything and my husband has been away from me in hospital. I am just so grateful for the donations and the support. A Mr Themba from eThekwini Disaster Management was also so wonderful, he made sure I was safe and looked after and brought me blankets. He was an absolute angel,” she said.
ALSO READ: Glenmore armed robbers fire shots at police during chase
Heather Roos from Umbilo CPF who asked for support from the community following the incident, said any donations of food and cleaning items would be appreciated. Michelle also asked for any wardrobes as she had nowhere to put the clothes she had been donated.
To help with donations, contact Heather on 062 267 6535 or email: heatherrorick2@gmail.com.
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple
