INCREDIBLE community spirit was evident following a devastating fire which destroyed Edith Benson Babies Home in Garbutt Road, Sherwood, on Tuesday evening.
Flames from the blaze lit up the skyline and by the time Rescue Care paramedics arrived at the scene just after 7pm, the children were being moved to adjacent buildings while Durban Fire battled the flames which had engulfed the home.
“The fire was alight in the baby section of the home. Fifty-seven children ranging from three months to five years were rescued and escaped unharmed. One female employee was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation,” said Garrith Jamieson of Rescue Care.
Firemen fought the blaze for two hours before it was extinguished. At this stage, it is not yet known what caused the fire. Durban Fire and SAPS are investigating.
Communities across the Berea and surrounds responded to social media posts last night and rallied to collect donations for the home and the children, with collection points set up during the night. EThekwini Outreach opened a drop-off point at the Shell garage in Overport, and Bulwer Safety and Urban Regeneration Forum, along with concerned residents, set up a collection point at the Metro Hut at Davenport Square.
Gift of the Givers offered to provide a R250 000 aid package according to the needs of the home, which includes cribs, baby cots, beds, mattresses, blankets, linen and pillows, as well as new clothing, baby bottles, dummies, sterilisers, eating utensils, soap, diapers, hygiene items, formula feed, general food items and anything else required for the children, the minders and the home currently hosting the children.
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Executive director of Child Welfare Durban and District (CWDD), Anisha Ramlaul, said the Department of Social Development had come forward and helped with a plan to relocate the children to other facilities.
“Our Board of Governors and staff would like to thank all first responders and members of the community for their immediate support and supply of provisions,” she said.
Ramlaul said there was a designated drop-off point at the nearby Masjid e Swaliheen Mosque (85 Harris Crescent, Sherwood).
She said the ongoing requirement for further provisions would be communicated via the CWDD social media and website (https://cwdd.org.za) or people could contact Siphiwe or Glenda on 031 312 9313.
For financial contributions, banking details are: Child Welfare Durban and District, Standard Bank, Business Current Account, Branch: Windermere, Branch code: 042726, Branch code (electronic payments): 051001, Account number: 251139042.
Cash donors should email their deposit slips to info@cwdd.org.za with their contact details in order for their donation to be acknowledged.
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