Craighall house fire still smolders, community ready to assist family
CRAIGHALL – Neighbours used hosepipes to try to extinguish the flames that were engulfing the house.
UPDATE: 6 February, 9.30am
Jenine Woolls from CORTAC’s central communication centre confirmed that last night they became aware, via the street WhatsApp group of a fire in Alexandra Avenue. Woolls said that one of the victims posted a voice note calling urgently for medical assistance.
“With other residents on the street reporting that they had contacted Beagle Watch and CAP, we alerted a third security provider in our area, Cortac, especially since we are aware that it offers a dedicated ambulance service, Medi-Response, which is despatched directly from Cortac’s control room,” said Wayne Lurie from the security portfolio of the CraigPark Residents’ Association.
The Association also confirmed that CORTAC’s response vehicle was first on the scene, followed swiftly by the Medi-Response ambulance. “The injured child was stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital. We are advised he is stable and will recover from the burns sustained.”
The Association thanked CORTAC and Medi-response for their swift actions last night, and to all security providers that subsequently provided assistance.
UPDATE: 6 February, 8.10am
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette’s journalist Sarah Koning went to the scene this morning (6 February) to find out what the cause of the fire was last night (5 February).
Natalie Stevens, a neighbour of the house that burnt down, confirmed that a generator caught fire as they were trying to fill it with fuel.
There is still smoke visibly coming from the house and everything in the house the family-owned has allegedly been destroyed. It is said that a family dog died and a 16-year-old boy was burnt on his legs.
Many community members and groups have come forward to help the family whether it be donations of food, clothes or first-aid assistance.
The neighbour said that the community came together to try to aid the family in their time of need. Neighbours used hosepipes to try to extinguish the flames and she said that a church group used their first aid skills to try and assist.
Stevens urged community members to donate to the family who has lost everything. For more information, email natstevenz@gmail.com
Initial Report: 5 February, 22.10pm
According to eyewitnesses, there was a thatch roof on fire on Alexander Avenue in Craighall on 5 February.
Emergency services were on the scene. It is unclear at this time what the cause of the fire was. Witnesses say they saw ‘explosions’ but that it might be the result of gas canisters exploding.
Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams was currently in contact with the fire department and said no lives were in danger but that there might be an injury.
Other members of the community have questioned the arrival time of emergency services.
This is a developing story. Watch below:
Related article:
Superhero six-year-old steps up and saves family from house fire
Help from community members for the Berea household members who lost all in fire
