Community rallies around family of fire victim
GRAPPLING with the loss of their toddler son in a fire at their home last week, a Clare Estate family has been comforted by the overwhelming support of their community.
“They have helped with groceries and even with money to rebuild the house,” Shireen Ramlall told
POST yesterday. “My neighbours come by often to ask whether we need help with anything and offer whatever they have.”
Her son Ritesh, 3, died in the blaze that also destroyed the house.
He was being looked after by his grandmother and an aunt while his parents were away sorting out a matter concerning an inheritance.
Ritesh’s two older siblings fled to safety while the youngest, a 1-yearold, was rescued. A fifth sibling, a teenager, was at a relative’s home at the time.
The boy’s death sent shock waves through the community, with hundreds of people expressing their grief on the POST Facebook page.
On Monday the family held a Hindu service outside the house, praying for the boy’s soul to rest in peace and to invite God to take control of the their future.
Family spokesman Naran Ramlall said prayer had brought the family some consolation.
“What happened to this family is very sad. Losing a child can have a great impact on parents. It would be different if it was a sickness or something natural, that would be easier to accept,” he said. “But this is too much.”
Naran slammed claims on social media that the grandmother had been asked to leave the house after the tragedy, saying she was still living with the family.
“We want the police to investigate and find out exactly what started the fire and the grandmother’s whereabouts at the time,” he said.
“Whoever believes we are not taking care of her should come and see for themselves. She is living and eating with us,” Shireen said.
“Those making these allegations need to understand that she, too, has lost a member of her family.
“These people need to have a heart. She was very close to the child and helped take care of him.
“At the end of the day, we are so grateful for all the support from the community,” Shireen said.
Her mother declined to comment.
Shireen said the tragedy had left her family traumatised, but they were slowly coming to terms with their loss.
“My children are also still in a a state. They are very close to each other. They play and all get up to their own mischief together, the way children are.
“They know something is wrong. They have not said anything, but you can see it when they talk,” she said.
SAPS Captain Nqobile Gwala said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.