A WOMAN, who was burnt badly in a fire on a plot in Alewynspoort in Eikenhof, tragically died from her injuries on March 3.
Lisa Ehlers (42), her husband, Marcus (45), and son, Keagan (15), were sleeping at their home, a wooden cabin, when Keagan awoke at midnight on February 28, feeling his feet getting hot.
“I knew something was wrong and yelled for my dad,” said Keagan.
A fire had started in the lounge with the curtains set alight, soon spreading towards the bedrooms.
“The only exit and access door was blocked by flames and I shouted at Keagan to jump out of the bathroom window. I began screaming at Lisa to get up and get out of the cabin, and I thought she was right behind me as I jumped out of Keagan’s bedroom window. When I looked she wasn’t anywhere to be seen and I knew I had to go back inside.”
The cabin was full of flames and smoke by the time Marcus got back in through the window, badly cutting his arm.
“The way the bathroom and bedroom doors were fitted had caused them to jam, resulting in Lisa not being able to get out. I was crawling to try and avoid the smoke and by the time I got to her in the bedroom she was unconscious,” said Marcus. “I was trying to pull her along the floor, but the blood from the cut on my arm was making it difficult to grasp hold of her and her clothing was just ripping off her body. In the end, I grabbed her hair to pull her out and managed to get her halfway through the window. I jumped out again and pulled her free to the ground,” said an emotional Marcus.
Keagan ran for help to his sister, Savannah, who lives in one of the other cottages on the plot and to another, where a man lives. They both ran to help Keagan drag Marcus and Lisa away from the burning cabin. Once the ambulances arrived, Lisa was taken to the Netcare Union Hospital and unavoidably Marcus was taken to Baragwanath due to having no medical aid. Lisa was admitted into ICU where she was treated.
Lisa’s mom, who lives in Cape Town, and Marcus’s mom from Durban arrived on Friday and by Saturday they knew Lisa’s chances of surviving were very slim. She died on Sunday evening at 9.50pm. Marcus only knew of her death early on Monday morning.
“We were a team, what now?”
Heartfelt thanks
The family would like to thank family and friends for their love and support, especially to Stan Paslovsky, Chantal Canairo and Fazil Smith. To Group 1 Nissan and Renault The Glen, where Lisa worked, and to Group 1 Pre-owned Alberton, where Marcus works, as well as thanks to Netcare Union Hospital’s doctors and nursing staff and the burns unit at Baragwanath Hospital, doctors and nursing staff.
The family have been left with absolutely nothing and unfortunately, have no insurance.
“We have received such amazing help already, which we are extremely thankful for, but it’s going to take a lot to get back on our feet,” added Marcus.
If you would like to help the family, a fund has been opened (Ehlers Family Fund): Standard Bank, account number – 200 062 956, account type – business current account, branch – The Glen, branch code – 006 005, branch code for electronic payments – 051 001 and swift address – SBZA ZA JJ.
“Every little contribution, whether it may be funding or furniture, will be forever appreciated. Funding at this stage is of high importance as we would like to provide required medical care for Marcus and psychological assistance for young Keagan and Savannah, as well as contributing towards any financial requirements for the family. For more information, I can be contacted on 082 829 4677 and I will gladly assist if anything needs collecting,” said Stan. Marcus’ sister, Eloise Ehlers, can also be contacted on 076 122 3973.
A memorial service will be held for Lisa on March 16, details will be available from Eloise.
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