A BLUFF family is slowly getting their life back on track after a devastating fire gutted their Wylie Road home and all their memories and belongings on July 1.
Faulty wiring caused the fire, which engulfed the Meyer home.
Phyllis Meyer and her two sons are now living in an outbuilding on the property while her house is being rebuilt and all damages repaired.
Although she has lost everything that she has worked for…
Phyllis can only count her blessings and is thankful to all those who have aided her in her family’s time of need.
“I was in Pretoria at the time of the fire, so to feel so powerless knowing my home went up in smoke was heartbreaking. My 37-tyear-old son was out of the house when it happened. Nobody was at home and he was alerted by his younger brother who was also out. He heard from the neighbours that the house was on fire, so my eldest immediately went home,” she said.
By the time he got home, the house was completely gutted. “Everything was in ashes – not even a teaspoon was saved but I thank heavens my neighbours managed to get our family dog, Pluto to safety, despite him trying to go home every chance he gets,” she chuckled.
READ: Montclair family loses everything as house burns
She thanked everybody who has played a role in getting her home back and for helping her family with food, blankets and other essentials. “I would like to thanks the city’s disaster management team for supplying us with mattresses and blankets, ward councillor JP Prinsloo for the vegetables, vegetable steamer, coffee machine, blankets and much more.
Thank you to the ANC’s Dani Sile who also donated some stuff. I thank all my friends, family and neighbours who donated clothes, food and blankets for us and Pluto. Thank you Estie Brown for always being the angel in our lives and for the great support. And importantly, Aubrey Ngcobo and his team from Bathophele for showing such care and dedication as they rebuild my family home. I can see this has become more than just a job for you,” said Phyllis.
With the house almost complete, the only thing the family needs to do is fill it up with furniture to make it feel more like a home.”I’m a single parent, so I can’t afford the cost of furniture. I have a few things on lay-bye but to fill my home again from scratch will be difficult,” she added.
WATCH: The house on fire on July 1
