A family of seven living in Ext 17 was left devastated and homeless after their shack had burnt down recently.
Ms Sesi Msiza (68) and her two-year-old granddaughter were sleeping when family members having tea in the kitchen heard their neighbours screaming that the house was on fire.
Ms Khabo Xaba rushed to the dining room where her mother was sleeping and was welcomed by big flames.
She managed to wake her mom and the child.
They were lucky to escape unharmed.
Ms Xaba said: “Neighbours were already trying to extinguish the fire.
“We do not know what started the fire, but the neighbours thought it began in one of the bedrooms. We do not have electricity and we only used the one candle in the kitchen while we were having tea.
“It will take years to recover from this loss.
“We thank God that no one was harmed, though our lives have been turned upside down.
“Only God knows what happened,” said a sobbing Ms Xaba.
The family had just finished a traditional ceremony for their son who was in the mountain for an initiation.
All their important documents, such as identity books, and items that were bought for the return of their son, were destroyed.
The family was not pleased with Govan Mbeki Municipality’s fire brigade’s response.
They believe if the fire fighters arrived sooner, their loss would not have been so great.
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