Fire destroys family home in Turffontein
A family of 25 was left stranded after their home was destroyed by fire on Sunday March 30.
TURFFONTEIN – An unexpected fire completely destroyed a home to 19 adults and 6 children at Great Britain Street in Turffontein on Sunday night, March 30.
Residents of the house were attending church around 19:30 when a fire destroyed everything they had, including one resident’s savings worth R900.
Turffontein firefighters rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire, which left nothing untouched in the house.
“The fire was so big that firefighters ran out of water. It took three trucks and a water hydrant, which was not easy to find, to stop the fire.
“Everyone lost everything they had in the house; we are wearing our last clothes and shoes. There are women and babies who lived in the house, today they have nothing left. There is not even a single document or ID book left,” said Titus Nkosi, who lived in the house.
The house was home to a family of people who looked after one another. The house had recently been renovated.
Residents complained that they were always targeted by people who wanted to con them as the house belongs to a man who is in prison.
On many occasions they have had to deal with con artists who claimed ownership of the house, only to find they had no connection with the owner of the house.
These people always came to their house and wanted to take things but without success. “We hear rumours that someone came, started the fire and ran away, but we cannot do anything about it since nobody who saw that person is willing to come forward,” Titus Nkosi added.
The source of the fire is still unknown. The gate was also stolen three weeks ago.
Residents of the house would appreciate it if people could donate food, clothes, blankets, beds, furniture, shoes, timber, tents, toiletries, and drinkable water.
They fear that the rain could cause the roof to collapse, and they do not have enough space for everyone to sleep in the tent.
