A woman said she lost her husband, grandfather and aunt in a fire in their flatlet on Mandela Day.
Cecelia Taylor told the Herald the fire occurred on Saturday (18 July) at approximately 10.50pm in Vermeulen Street, Venterspos, allegedly as a result of an electrical short circuit.
The flatlet is on the same property as the house in which the rest of Taylor’s family live.
“I wasn’t in the flatlet at the time of the fire. I was braaiing with my sister who lives in the main house when suddenly we heard my uncle’s screams,” Taylor said.
We ran towards the flatlet and there was smoke everywhere. I rushed inside to see if I couldn’t save anyone but there were just too much smoke and flames everywhere. I was looking for my husband but I couldn’t find him. It turned out he was lying at the door. I stood at the door and didn’t even realise he was there. If I had just known, I could have saved him.”
Taylor explained her husband had sustained the worst burn wounds of the three.
“He suffered from chronic bronchitis as well as asthma. It is likely he died of smoke inhalation rather than being burned.”
Taylor has three children but fortunately none of them were in the flatlet at the time of the incident. “Something just told me not to send them home that night. I told them to ask my sister if they could spend the night at her home.
I lost everything in the fire. Everything. My husband, my grandfather and my aunt. I even lost my animals – my dogs, my cat and my birds.
“The only things I have left of my husband are his wedding rings and his guitar.”
Taylor and her children’s clothes, their furniture, beds, books and school supplies had been destroyed in the fire. She is in desperate need of bare necessities and appealed to the community to support her in her time of need.
Items needed:
• Clothes: girls age 10 and 15, and boy age 8 as well as medium-size clothing for Taylor
• School uniforms from Laerskool Venterspos and Westonaria High School
• Shoes: size 3, and 5 to 6
• Non-perishable food
• Blankets
Should anyone be able to donate clothing or food to the family, please contact the Herald on 011 693 3671 during office hours or 073 596 0753 after hours. Alternatively, Cecelia Taylor can be reached on 072 357 4177.
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Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
Man burns to death in house fire
Fire erupts, destroys business in CBD
Fire in Hillside spreads to paintball range
Randgate fire leaves five homeless
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