Roodepoort family loses everything in house fire

A family of in Roodepoort North has been left with nothing after their home was gutted by a fire on Thursday, January 19.

According to the family, the house burnt down due to an electric spark when load-shedding occurred.

Also read: Wilgeheuwel house fire claims man’s life

Samuel Phirisi, who is a pensioner, said the fire started on the roof just a few minutes after the power came back and after 2pm the fire had already wiped out the whole house and everything was in ashes.

“Our house burnt down, a house I grew up in, the only home I know, my childhood memories wiped out in minutes,” said Lerato Phirisi.

Also read: One person dies in Georgina house fire

At the time of the incident, there were nine people that lived in the house, and they have lost everything; fortunately no human life was lost.

Lerato said that the government has failed her family as they had called the fire department in Roodepoort which only arrived two hours later.

When the family asked the reason for the delay, they were told that they had no fire engines available.

“This could have been prevented, the home I grew up in is in ashes, I was at work when this happened, and can you imagine the calls and texts I was receiving.

“I had a surreal moment, an out-of-body experience, more than anything I am helpless, we are helpless and pleading with people to help us raise funds to start getting our lives together, buy basic needs and hopefully we can make it through this,” said Lerato.

The Phirisi family is pleading with the community for help and any amount and item will be appreciated.

“We are pleading with South Africa to please assist us, the house didn’t have insurance, that is why we are in need,” said Lerato.

Ward 84 Secretary Ntetho Sail who was present during the fire and visited the family after the fire informed ANC Ward 84 Chairperson Siyabonga Masiza who assisted with informing Region C Disaster Management and Gauteng Department of Social Development.

Ward 84 Councillor Johannes Goosen said that he was made aware of the incident on the evening of Wednesday, January 25 and at the moment he is not sure how the family will be assisted.

Members of the community would like to assist the Phirisi family with anything are advised to contact Tshego Phirisi on 072 489 7444 or send an email to tsehgo.phirisi@gmail.com.

A Backabuddy campaign at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/lerato-phirisi-5503924506317588216 was also created to assist the family raise funds as they gear up to rebuild their lives.