While paramedics treat family members that were in the house for smoke inhalation, other family members watch on hopelessly as the house they once lived in burned down to the ground.
The Schutte family house that burnt down on Monday, March 5 in Arnoldus Pannevis Street.
On Monday afternoon, March 5 at approximately 13:00 a house in Arnoldus Pannevis Street started burning and there was no way of stopping it as flames engulfed the house.
A South Africa Community Crime Watch (SACCW) responder Mr Attie van Wyk noticed smoke coming from Duvha Park area and he went to investigate.
Friends comfort family members as they watch the house burn down on Monday, March 5.
When he arrived at the Schutte’s home, he noticed that the flames had engulfed the house. He called in on the SACCW OPS channel for help and the operations co-ordinator dispatched the Emalahleni Fire Department and ER24. Numerous SACCW members also responded to the scene.
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While fire fighters extinguished the flames, medics from ER24 arrived on scene and treated same patients for smoke inhalation; one patient was transported to the hospital.
As Emalahleni Fire Department worked to extinguish the fire and Langamed Fire was called for back up.
Together, the Emalahleni Fire Department and Langamed Fire managed to extinguish the fire after a long fight.
The Schutte family which consists of four adults and one infant unfortunately lost everything in their home.
A fire fighter from Emalahleni Fire Department extinguishing the fire on Monday, March 5 in Arnoldus Pannevis Street.
“The only thing that is left is my father in laws tools and machinery,” said Ms Tersia Schutte.
A wish list and need list has been established for the Schutte family and the community has been asked if they could assist where possible.
▪Clothing sizes: men’s: large shirt, 34/36 pants, men’s: large shirt, 32/34 pants; woman: large shirt, 36 pants; woman: extra large shirt, 42/44 pants and infant- three months old (5.4kg boy).
▪Shoe sizes: men’s size 10; men’s size 12, woman size 5 and woman size 8.
▪Infant needs; all toiletries, baby products, nappies, size 2 and 3; milk: Infasoy No. 1 and blankets.
▪Family needs: any furniture, toiletries, food and dog food.
The drop off address for all donations is: 30 Elmar Steyn, Duvha Park.
Contact Lindie direct for any questions or arrangements on 082 740 9196.
It is still unclear how the fire started in the Schutte house.
