Seven-year-old escapes fire in South Hills

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Residents of the South Hills and Momtanus Primary School staff rushed to put out a fire that started at a Claudeckett Court flat in Delmas Street on Wednesday November 12.

Witnesses said a seven-year-old boy escaped the fire when he was pulled out through the kitchen window by the neighbours, who used a hosepipe and buckets to help stop the fire from spreading.

“I had just sent my son out to the shops, and he came back running and told me that some people’s flat was burning. He saw it as he was going out and that was when we immediately phoned firefighters and called for help,” said Brenda Sykes.
Charles, who was helping clean the flat on the Thursday of that week, said: “Firefighters did not see anything or any sign that the boy could have started the fire. They have not confirmed it but believe the bottle could have been ignited because of combustion, as we had covered the veranda with a big piece of plastic to protect the gas bottle and clothes that were put inside bins out of the rain.”
Fire fighters who acted swiftly to make it to the scene, arrived to help put out the remaining fires, according to residents.
Rodney Fransman, who was one of the residents on the scene, said: “I am disappointed with the council, because we used to have hosepipes in the flats, but they took them six or seven years ago and said they would replace them, but they never did. If it wasn’t for a pipe that belonged to a lady at a nearby flat, we would not been able to help.”
The flat is one of the ward flats that were repainted not long ago, but already needs to be repainted if a human is going to attempt to breath in it.
Ward Councillor Faeeza Chame went to the scene and was disappointed to learn that residents relied on a hosepipe that belonged to another person. The councillor will take this up to make sure that extinguishers are installed in the flats, because without that pipe the fire could have easily spread after the gas bottle explosion.
Mother Hester Hegter (39) who lives with her 13-year-old daughter and her 7-year-old son, said she had left for work and assuming her kids would both leave for school as they usually did. She found out when she was called home that her son did not leave for school, because he had hurt his foot and stayed home.
The family lost over 20 years of hard earned property and would appreciate a mattress, mirrors, curtains, couches, a TV, DVD player and carpets from anyone or any organisation that can help.