IN PICS: Community supports displaced people after Bryanston house burns down in Wilton Avenue
BRYANSTON – Community members are helping those affected by the fire with nappies and blankets.
A fire wreaked havoc at a house on Wilton Avenue in Bryanston after multiple gas bottles exploded, a Bryanston home has since burnt down.
On 21 June, emergency services arrived at the house where around allegedly 30 to 40 families were residing. The community arrived to support the families who have lost everything.
Many people were reduced to tears as they watched their home burn to the ground.
City of Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun was at the house at 7pm on 21 June where firefighters worked hard to completely extinguish the fire. He added that around 100 people are left without a home.
Community members from Bryanston gathered their resources to make sure the families had blankets, food and supplies.
Andre Snyman, a Bryanston resident and Eblockwatch founder said, “With every tragedy like this it is inspiring to see how CommUnities pull together. A special thanks to my Eblockwatch members especially Karen Barras for rallying support for the families affected. I was inspired to see the love and compassion shown by community leaders as they got stuck in physically donning emergency jackets and consoling mothers and holding their babies giving hope to the helpless. This is the South Africa I love to see.”
He said that JMPD vehicles were arriving soon to transport the people to a place of safety. He also stated that they had been given food and blankets.
Sandton CPF reported that donations of blankets or food (non-perishable) can be dropped off Bryanston Methodist Church. They ask that the packages clearly for 19 Wilton Road Fire Donation.
The City’s disaster management team found temporary shelter for the people at Akani Private School for two nights.
Sun added, “Some of the people affected have returned to salvage their belongings and found alternative rental places. [There are a] few families left at Diepsloot Akani Private School. No prospect for people to stay at the Bryanston house anymore. Verification and monitoring are ongoing. Thanks very much to all, your gestures are deeply appreciated.”
Donations were added out by various community members and the Bryanston Methodist Church.
Kerry Wetton, the Bryanston Methodist Church communications manager said that the families would greatly benefit from more donations. She added that the biggest challenge is to find housing for many of the families as the school will reopen on Monday.
Debris and burnt household items are seen strewn across the lawns of the recently burnt down home.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/208874/fire-breaks-along-banks-braamfontein-spruit-bryanston/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/207046/watch-bryanston-home-goes-flames-family-safe/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/153975/fire-and-theft-keeps-bryanston-in-the-dark/
