Community comes to the aid of Ferndale fire victims
FERNDALE – The community has rallied in support for the victims of a fire that ravaged three flats in an apartment block on the corner of Oxford Road and Cork Avenue in Ferndale on New Year's Day.
The community has rallied in support for the victims of a fire that ravaged three flats in an apartment block on the corner of Oxford Road and Cork Avenue in Ferndale on New Year’s Day.
Members of the Ferndale Residents Association collected various items for the three families affected by the fire including blankets, a few items of toiletries and some clothes.
“There was so much damage and it was so saddening to see how much these families have lost,” said the association’s Juley Rakgotho.
Emergency services spokesperson Nana Radebe said a child was rushed to hospital after the fire and the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
The fire is believed to have started early in the morning on the second floor of the building, affecting both the main flat and the flats next to it.
It is also believed that the fire started on the balcony while the family inside were sleeping. The family on the left of the main flat were able to salvage some of their furniture but most belongings in the flats were destroyed.
“A few days after there was still a lot of water in the flats from the firefighters, so there is a lot of cleaning work to be done,” said Rakgotho.
The affected families have temporally been relocated to vacant flats in the same building.
Rakgotho added, “As residents of our local community, we found it important to get involved in helping those affected. So we asked members of our community to help donate items to the affected families to give them a bit of relief during this time.”
Also part of the Ferndale community is a local resident and Mrs Africa 2020 Thando Lamula-Shirinda who lent her support to the victims.
She said, “Hearing of the whole incident saddened me. After hearing such, I quickly had to do something. I went to the extent to ask for help from social media friends to assist the families involved. I’m still collecting food, clothing and furniture from those that can assist.”
Ward 104 councillor Mike Wood applauded the efforts of the association and community members.
“The Ferndale Residents Association has driven this cause quite aggressively and their efforts are to be commended. It is amazing to see our community come together for people in their time of need, and this needs to happen more in every community,” he said.
Rakgotho and Wood wished to thank Ruth Brown and Erica de Jager of the association as well as the Liberty Church for all of their support in the drive.
Community members are still welcome to donate items needed by the victims of the fire to the Ferndale Residents Association to distribute.
Details: Juley Rakgotho 072 333 4881 or rjuley@yahoo.com
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