TOTAL LOSS: Amanda Okoro lost everything in her room.
A THREE-YEAR-OLD toddler burnt to death after a fire began in a home in Alexander Road, Turffontein on the evening of April 24.
It’s alleged the fire was caused by an illegal electricity connection. Amanda Okoro (31), who was one of the tenants of the house, said about 20 people who lived there are now homeless because of the fire.
NARROW: Families lived on both sides of this passage.
“I live with my two boys aged nine and seven and a five-year-old daughter. We lost everything in the fire; I only salvaged my bag, which luckily had my identity document book. They told us that the fire was caused by an illegal electricity connection.
“It started in one of the rooms when the father of a toddler went to have a shower and locked his little boy in the room to keep him safe while he showered. When the father tried to kick the door open, the smoke was too much and unfortunately the toddler lost his life.
HAZARDOUS: Tangled wires can be seen in the ceiling.
“We appeal to the residents of the South to help us as we have nothing, only the clothes we are wearing,” she said.
Ward 55 Clr Rashieda Landis was one of the people who was at the scene, as she was called to assist. “I was in a caucus meeting in Johannesburg, when I began receiving calls about the fire. I rushed there. Unfortunately we lost a three-year-old toddler to an illegal connection.
BURNT: Amanda Okoro, one of the tenants, points at the ceiling where most of the smoke came from.
“The family now lives in Eloff Street, Turffontein. A social worker paid them a visit, and I will also visit them. THAG NPO has been helping them with clothing and food,” said Clr Landis.
DAMAGED: In some of the rooms, the ceilings caved in.
