Mom and baby rescued from burning house in Eastvale
“The Eastvale, Springsoord, Dersley Park CPF and Eastrand ops were all there to help, which I’m thankful for,” says Herman.
Sector Capt Wynand du Toit has thanked Herman Marais, chairman of Eastvale community policing forum (CPF), for his heroic actions of saving a family from a burning house in Eastvale.
“Herman is always there to make a difference in other people’s lives, not just the CPF members.
“He has a passion for the community,” says du Toit.
The house fire, on Swartberg Road, broke out late on a Sunday evening and Herman was alerted about it by a community member who drove to the garage where Herman was busy attending to a service station robbery.
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“When we got to the house it was already on fire and we were not sure if there were people in the house.
“We couldn’t get the gate open, so we had to knock down the wall next to it.
“When we eventually got into the house, it was the room next to the front door that was on fire,” says Herman.
Herman says the house was engulfed in smoke and he found the mother and her baby in the passage of the house. With the help of a security guard, he carried the pair out.
In another room, a seven-year-old girl was found unconscious and was pulled out.
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“We started with CPR until the ambulance arrived and took over.
“Unfortunately, she died on the scene,” says Herman.
The seven-year-old was buried last Thursday.
Herman says being of service to the community comes naturally to him, and that nothing is more important than saving a life.
“I love it and will never turn a blind eye to innocent victims.
“With the house fire, I didn’t do it alone.
“The Eastvale, Springsoord, Dersley Park CPF and Eastrand ops were all there to help, which I’m thankful for,” says Herman.
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The Eastvale CPF is now collecting goods for the family who lost everything in the fire.
Herman says clothes for a 2-3-year-old child, woman’s size 44 and man’s size 40, are needed.
Donations for non-perishable food would also be appreciated.
“People can contact me on 082 584 4896 to arrange for collection,” says Herman.
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