“When I saw the thatch on my car, I went numb,” said Blessing Makaku, a resident who saw her grandmother’s home in Maphongo Street engulfed by flames.
Blessing says she was watching the news in her room at around 19:00 when she heard her uncle, Joey Sekano (58), calling out to her. When she came out, all she saw were flames. She quickly went back into the house to get her grandmother, Elizabeth Sekano (89), and mother, Patience Makaku (65), out of the house, and called the emergency services.
She says everything happened so quickly. By the time she wanted to move the car, it was too late. When another uncle, Danny Sekano (52), came to the home, he was devastated.
Danny says he was in shock when he saw his mother’s house in flames. Before he was informed about the incident, he said he had seen the flames and smoke but thought it was another person’s house. When he received the call, he couldn’t believe it was his mom’s home.
Fortunately, no one sustained major injuries, but Joey sustained minor burn wounds. One of the community members is a nurse and immediately attended to Joey’s injuries.
Most of the damage caused by the fire was outside. All the windows were shattered and the roof was damaged. The fire department came to extinguish the fire before it completely burnt the house down.
The cause of the fire could not be confirmed.
She says she experienced God’s grace. Earlier that day, she planned to fill up her petrol tank and gas container. She suspects that things could have been much worse if she had done so. She is heartbroken about the incident but says she is grateful that no lives were lost.
She thanked all community members of Thabeng, especially those who came to assist during the incident and afterwards.
The family also wants to thank the nurse for immediately attending to Joey’s injuries.
Anyone who wishes to help the Sekano family can contact Blessing on 072 238 2460 or Danny on 084 230 2950.
