The homes of 26 people were destroyed in a fire in Fisantekraal on Friday August Friday 18, according to the fire department. Picture: Derial Jagers.
The victims of a fire that destroyed eight homes in Fisantekraal are appealing for donations.
The fire department received the call-out at noon on Friday August 18, according to City Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse.
The fire destroyed seven shacks and one house, while one more shack was partially damaged, he said.
“Crews from Durbanville, Kraaifontein and Kuils River were on the scene. The fire was extinguished at 1pm and a total of 26 persons were displaced with no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is still unknown,” he said.
All the destroyed homes were on the same property in Dullah Omar Street, according to one of the victims, Derial Jagers.
Ms Jagers said that by the time she realised one of their homes was on fire, it was too late to do anything.
“My three children and I were sitting in the kitchen of our wendy house when I noticed a burning smell and realised something wasn’t right. I then looked around in the room but saw that nothing inside the house was burning. That was around 11am in the morning.
“When I went outside, I realised it was too late. I saw that one of the houses was on fire, and within seconds, the fire started spreading to the other homes and eventually my house. Our houses were burnt to the ground; we literally lost everything. Luckily no-one was injured. It was so chaotic. By the time the fire brigade showed up, all the houses were already destroyed. We’re still unsure what started the fire.”
Ms Jagers said she was now staying with her in-laws in Fisantekraal.
“Our wendy house that burnt down has been in our family for 11 years.”
They had received donations, including a mattress, clothes and some food, she said.
The DA proportional representation councillor for Fisantekraal, Chumani Kobeni, said seven to eight families had lost everything in the fire.
“Any relief initiative is welcome, especially, food, clothing and material to rebuild their homes,” he said.
Twenty-seven mattresses were delivered to the families from a group of donors on Wednesday August 23.
For more information or to make a contribution, contact Mr Kobeni at 079 115 5569.