Family’s home goes up in flames
A family of four lost their home and all their belongings in a fire on Saturday evening (May 2).
Pieter (34) and Milexa Uys (29), and their two children, Lexer (5) and Zander (three months), escaped the fire unharmed.
Milexa explains how her husband awakened to a burning sensation on his hand and found most of the main bedroom already engulfed by flames.
The cause of the fire, which started in the main bedroom, is not yet known.
A forensic team is believed to have carried out an investigation to the cause on Monday (May 4).
The fire started at around 11.30pm, and after the couple grabbed the children, the family made it out of the house at 11.45pm.
“The fire department only arrived at 12.30am,” says Milexa.
“Pieter and some of the neighbours had already put out most of the fire by the time the fire department arrived.”
The fire raged through the house and the family were able to salvage only a few small items.
See more photos of the house here.
Milexa explains that they are still heartbroken, but thank the CPF and everyone for the donations they have already received.
“They were absolutely brilliant,” she says.
The Dersley CPF were first to arrive on the scene, and immediately alerted the fire department and ER24.
Maré Buchner from the CPF received a radio call about the fire after a resident allegedly heard cries for help.
André Momberg, an advanced life support paramedic from Rescue 24, says they treated and transported the two children to a local hospital for smoke inhalation.
They were released from hospital after a check-up.
William Ntladi, spokesman for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Services (DEMS), confirmed the fire and says the call was received around midnight.
On arrival, the fire fighting crew found that the three bedroom house was well alight, and the bigger part of the roof had already collapsed.
“Occupants were still reported to be trapped inside, and as a result, an intensive rescue search was conducted,” he says.
“Fortunately no fatalities or injuries were reported on scene.”
Ntladi reports that two bedrooms suffered extensive damage due to the blaze, while other rooms suffered only smoke and water damage from burst water pipes.
“The cause of the fire is still undetermined,” he adds.
