Fires leave two families homeless
"I burned my hands when trying to fight the fire."
SEBOKENG.- Fires have left two families homeless in separate incidents that took place in Zone 10 and Zone 12 Sebokeng over the weekend.
The Motsoane family in Zone 10 and Banama family in Zone 12 had to sleep at their relative’s homes after they lost everything they own in the fires.
Sedibeng Ster visited the families, and upon arriving, found relatives and neighbours trying to help clean the mess that was caused by the fire.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Petunia Motsoane said the accident happened at around 17:30 in the afternoon of Sunday.
She said the fire was caused by paraffin, as she was cleaning with it. Motsoane said she dropped paraffin on the floor, and it caught the heater. The next thing the whole house was on fire.
When the Emfuleni Fire Fighters arrived, the fire had already caused a huge damage.
“I was with my 14-year-old daughter and my grandmother when this incident happened. I managed to escape through the window while my daughter and my grandmother managed to go through the door, because at the time the fire was not as strong. I burned my hands when trying to fight the fire. My grandmother also burned her arm,” she said.
The fire has left the family with nothing, including their IDs, clothes, furniture and school uniform and books.
Motsoane appeals to Good Samaritans for any form of assistance as they family depend on pension grants.
Meanwhile 76-year-old Eunice Banama from Zone 12 also escaped death when her house burned down.
She was alone at home when this happened. She told Sedibeng Ster that she had gone to the toilet outside and that when she came back, she found the house in flames.
“I left a heater on when I went to the toilet, and I think it is the main cause of the fire. I stay with my grandchildren, but he was not home when this happened.
“I called for help and neighbours came to help but it was too late as most of the furniture had already caught fire,” she explained.
As the results of the fire, Banama sustained injuries on her left ankle.
Those who wish to help the two families can contact them at these numbers: Mampho Tsotetsi on behalf of Motsoane family at 081 555 7746 or WhatsApp 079 251 1870 and Bafana Banama at 078 940 6406.
