Help us to rebuild home, asks family
MEMBERS of a family from Eersterus in Hammanskraal, who lost their belongings in a house fire on April 29, are asking the public for assistance to rebuild their home and lives.
Lebogang Kubayi, 20, said her sister was sleeping when a fire broke out at around 9am that day. “She was taking a nap after having done the house chores for the day and the children were at school.
“The neighbours were the ones who noticed that the house was on fire. They saw smoke coming out of the roof in the garage.”
Kubayi said they blew a whistle to get people to help to put the fire out.
“The smoke was coming out of the garage, and when they were trying to help put out the fire, someone asked if there was anyone inside the house.”
A neighbour, named only as Jonas, got into the house and rescued the sleeping sister, said Kubayi.
“She was confused and did not know what was going on after getting out, and the neighbours noticed that the smoke was also now coming out in other rooms.
“They tried to put out the fire but they could not do it, and it seems the fire was raging through the ceiling.
“There was nothing they could have done to save the house but they saved my sister’s life,” said Kubayi.
She said the house then burst into flames, leaving just the walls standing.
The family of seven, including children who were still in school, were in shock and said they were hoping to get assistance to rebuild their home.
The family elders have died, leaving one of the older sisters as the head of the household.
Kubayi said the house fire had a huge impact on her family, as her aunts were also not working.
“Emotionally, it has been tough on us as a family. My sister is the only one working and taking care of the kids. It has affected us to a point that we are failing dismally to cope.
“We cannot even take the kids to stay with us because we cannot afford to do it. Financially, it is really a problem.”
Kubayi said the family’s focus was to rebuild the house even though it would never be the same.
They need cleaning material or equipment that they can use to clear the debris from the house, Kubayi said.
“We need material so we can at least build a shelter. Even if it’s a two-room house it is fine, as long as we have a place to call home,” she said.
Kubayi said it was important that the children did not go from one place to another.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, and the family are waiting for
a report from the police, who said they were still conducting an investigation.
Those able to help are asked to call Kubayi on 079 917 7129 or 072 040 6801.