Hope burns bright despite fire catastrophe in Craighall Park

Flames broke the peace of the Glanz and Sibanda families of Craighall Park in the early morning hours of August 8. Despite the devastating aftermath of a fire that gutted the Sibanda’s home on the premises, hope was restored for both families soon after.

The Gazette caught up with Hanlie Glanz who, speaking for both families, explained that a community had come together to douse the flames and then help the Sibanda family towards recovery.

“It is just 09.30, only hours after the incident, and I am left humbled by how a potential tragedy was turned around by the love and support of the community,” said Glanz.

“Winnie, my domestic worker, woke up in response to the fire in her home and noticed the flames, alerted her family and got them out of harm’s way. She has two children: a girl, who is eight years old, and a son, who is 14 years old. We were then awoken by the Sibandas and made aware of the fire which consumed their house on our property. Our neighbours were also awoken, noticing the flames and commotion.”

She explained how the neighbours from both sides of the property had helped to douse the flames, through connecting hosepipes from their respective properties. “CAP Security patrol officers in our road also noticed the flames and came alongside us with their fire extinguisher,” she said. She said that she used her Namola App to contact the fire service, which arrived to completely douse the fire.

“By this stage, the Sibanda family’s house was gutted,” she said.

“I put up a notice on the Facebook community pages, and within a few hours after the catastrophe, we already had many people assisting. We have had a mattress, a cellphone and a fridge donated, for example.” Support was also given by the Ranger Stables, who put up a notice asking the horse riding community, with which both families are well acquainted, to assist.

Glanz said that when she had told Winnie about the generosity of the community, she had been in tears. “‘Thank you,’ is what we want to say,” she said. “Goodness exists in spite of what the world has been through this past year.” The Glanz family had been booked to go on holiday today but have put their holiday plans forward for a day. Glanz said she and her family, and the Sibandas would always remember this day, and the kindness the community displayed in response to what could have been complete devastation.

How can you help?

Residents wanting to support the family can contact Hanlie on 082 463 or hanlieglanz@gmail.com

She said essential items for the family’s kitchen, like a stove or microwave, as well as clothes for the children and bedding and other necessities were still needed.

CAP Security was unable to provide a comment this morning and the Gazette is awaiting comment on the incident from Emergency Services.

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