Fear and horror in the eyes of a distraught neighbour is a look William Marshall will never forget when he remembers saving her on 26 July while her house was engulfed with flames.
This family had no relationship with their neighbour, however this barrier did not get in the way of helping their distressed neighbour.
Cries for help that echoed at 4am outside a couple’s house prompted William to jump out of bed and help his traumatised neighbour who repeatedly shouted, “Ek brand, Ek brand!” (I’m burning, I’m burning).
As soon as William went outside, he found his neighbour trapped inside the flaming house and unable to get out. She was at the time in the only room the fire had not reached yet.
His wife Leonie explained as his adrenaline rush kicked in, he decided to look around in the yard to find something to break the burglar bars open so that he could free his neighbour.
After endless searching, she handed him a pole and he managed to break the burglar bars.
Leonie said William and their teenage son Utah, tried everything to help save their terrified neighbour.
They found one of her dogs on fire and immediately came to his rescue. Unfortunately the other dogs burned to death.
The cause of the fire is unknown and Leonie has not heard from her neighbour since that tragic day.
“We only greet when we saw each other and I do not even know her name or anything else about her,” Leonie said.
“All that matters is we managed to save a life.”
Local resident Brian Carelse is still in awe as he remembers the heroic incident.
“Today a woman is alive because a man would not let a women he does not know, die a fiery death. I have no doubt in my mind he would have risked his life for children too, had the need arisen.
“I will remember this heroic selfless act should I one day be faced with a similar situation. This family is my ‘Unsung Heroes,” Carelse said boldly.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 414 6709.Â
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
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.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
