‘Thanks God I’m still alive’
Unfortunately the fire got out of control.
The community is up in arms because the Emergency Services (EMS) arrived on the scene of a house fire an hour late – without water.
On Thursday, 19 April at about 9.30pm a fire broke out in Joyce Radebe’s house. Neighbours heard her screaming for help and found Radebe chocking from inhaling the strong smoke. They called EMS and in the meantime tried to extinguish the fire by using buckets and a hosepipe.
Unfortunately, the fire got out of control and once it reached the roof, the whole house went up in flames. Radebe and her domestic worker managed to get out of the house alive.
The neighbourhood watch, ADT, police and an ambulance were on scene before the firefighters arrived. The fire truck only arrived on the scene an hour after being called and the worst part is that it had no water. They had to wait again for the Florida firefighters to help. But by the time they arrived, the house had already burnt to ashes.
Radebe said she was trying to open a gas heater before she went to bed, but the heater exploded. She lost her house, furniture, clothes and almost her car in the resulting blaze. The very traumatised elderly woman had to watch everything she had worked for her whole life burn down.
Radebe is a retired nurse and she and her domestic worker lived on the premises. She is well known in the Lindhaven community for her Ubuntu spirit.
Since the fire, Radebe has been staying with her daughter and the domestic worker has moved back to her home. Radebe will receive counselling to help her cope with the trauma. An assessor from an insurance company has evaluated the damage, and the structure of the house will be rebuilt. However, Radebe will need to start over as far as household content is concerned.
“The past few day have been the hardest, especially trying to deal with the trauma. I thank my church, community and, most of all, my family as they have been giving me the utmost support during this hard time,” said Radebe.
The Record is in the process from obtaining comment from EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi.
Lindhaven Social Committee member Portia Mantshiu said, “We urge community members to reach out and donate. Joyce wears a size 44 and her shoe size is nine. The domestic worker wears a size 44 and her shoe size is six.”
Should you have any clothes or household items that you would like to donate, please call Joyce Radebe on 082 290 1358 or drop off the donations at 5 Hazel Street, Lindhaven, Roodepoort.
Banking details are Nedbank savings account, Mrs Joyce R Radebe, account number 1146749422, branch code 198341.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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