eMBALENHLE – A family from Ext 26 has been left destitute and is trying to rebuild their lives after losing everything in a fire in the early hours of Thursday, 12 July.
The family woke up to thick smoke that covered the shack they were sleeping in.
Ms Egness Shabalala realised that everyone was coughing and went to the other room to see what was happening.
She urged everybody to evacuate the shack.
“We are still shocked and traumatised because we do not know what caused the fire.
“We do not know what to do, we are stuck.
“The five-room shack burned down.
“When neighbours noticed the fire, it had already spread to the next-door neighbour’s shack.
“It was shocking to see there was nothing left of our house, everything that our parents left us with is gone.
“No words can describe how I am feeling.”
The Govan Mbeki Fire and Rescue Department was summoned. Their trucks allegedly ran out of water while they were extinguishing the fire.
Mr Themba Lukhele, ward councillor, requested locals to help the family to rebuild their home.
“We are in Mandela’s month and I urge you to assist the family with anything.
“We have begun to collect donations and any contribution in the form of clothes, food and furniture will be appreciated.”
This is a list of items that could be donated:
* Clothes for two- and 11-year-old boys, four-, nine- and 18-year-old girls and for two adults.
* Blankets.
* Beds or foam mattresses.
* Groceries
* Furniture and any other household appliances
To make donations, contact Sifiso Mathebula, Ridge Times reporter, at 064 687 0816.
