Child Welfare appeals for help to bury children and woman killed in Boksburg house fire

It's believed the occupants of the house were caught in the blaze aftera a candle that was lit during load-shedding fell over.

February 5, 2022

Fanie Mthupha & Tayla Smit 2 minutes read

Funeral arrangements are underway for the two girls and a woman killed when their home in Villa Liza went up in flames.

The Boksburg Child Welfare is appealing to local businesspeople and individuals to assist with the burial arrangements for the two girls and housemother, who died when their home caught fire on February 3.

Boksburg Child Welfare director Vanessa Naidoo-Pillay explained the centre is making arrangements for the burial of the deceased, and they are appealing for assistance to help with the arrangements. Donations for the funerals may be in the form of food or monetary donations.

The centre also needs support to help the survivors who lost everything, from clothing to furniture, food and other necessities, as well as their home. To make any donations, contact Boksburg Child Welfare on 011 039 4679/011 074 5028 or send an email to director1bcw@gmail.com

Community still reeling with shock The Villa Liza community is still shocked after the two children, aged seven and eight, and their housemother died when their home caught fire during the night.

The home is called Thokomala House and is used by the Boksburg Child Welfare to place vulnerable children. It’s believed the occupants of the house, four children (two boys and two girls) and the housemother, were caught in the blaze after a burning candle fell over.

According to a neighbour, Steven Reddy, he was woken up by a commotion of children screaming for help at about 22:30.

“I noticed the smoke and flames. I rushed to the house while screaming to wake up the other neighbours to help. “When we got there, the gate was locked, forcing us to break the padlock. “Other community members jumped the gate to rush to the occupants’ aid and try to extinguish the fire.

“We pulled them out of the house, but the two girls appeared to have inhaled too much smoke and one of the girls looked like she also suffered terrible burns.”

The other sections of the house were blackened by the flame and smoke.

Community members used water to try to put out the fire, but the flames quickly spread throughout the boys’ bedroom and destroyed everything. The roof also collapsed. According to City of Ekurhuleni DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi, firefighters soon arrived from the Vosloorus Fire Station and managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the other rooms.

The two boys appeared to have not suffered visible injuries, but were traumatised and shocked. They were taken to alternative accommodation and have received trauma counselling.

“I’m still very shocked. I’ve been in the area for more than 37 years and it is the first time I have witnessed something like this in my neighbourhood. “It’s a very bad situation,” said Reddy.

Pillay said they are devastated by the incident. On top of the loss of lives, the tragedy has destroyed a large section of the much-needed property.

Condolences Ward 45 councillor Nkululeko Sidu extended his condolences to the family members of the victims and everybody at the safe house.

The windows were also broken during the incident.

“We’re awaiting a full report from the fire services to confirm the exact cause of the fire. “However, we do know there was no electricity that fateful night. We’re going to touch base with the safe house and the families of the victims so we can coordinate with the City of Ekurhuleni to see where we can assist. “We want to see how we can work together in the future to curb such disasters. This is a safe house, and we need them to have all the necessary equipment to deal with such a situation,” Sidu said.

Also Read: Fire at safe house claims life of one adult and two children