A fire destroyed two Wendy houses in Hanover Park on Saturday, leaving four people homeless including a one-year-old toddler.
Abeedah Adonis says she and her husband were sleeping when her daughter started crying from the smoke coming into their home in Hallan’s Walk at about 8.30am.
“My daughter woke us up and then we just started getting as much stuff as we could before the fire came,” she says.
“I could see that the fire started by the other Wendy house next to us but luckily that guy was not at home because the flames were already big there by his place.
“He was at work and we were sleeping, so I do not know how the fire started but I know for sure that it started from his place and I know that he lives alone so nobody was at home.”
The 26-year-old mom added a few neighbours came out to help with buckets of water but there was little they could do as the flames spread quickly.
“We lost a lot of stuff and my neighbour lost everything but he was lucky that he was not at home because he might have gotten seriously hurt because the fire was big.
“We are sad that this happened because we could not save most of our stuff but I am thankful that my family is safe.”
Abeedah added they are staying with family in Hanover Park while they sort out new living arrangements.
Fire and Rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said officials got the call at 8.34am and crews from Ottery and Gugulethu responded.
“Two entire structures were completely destroyed leaving four people displaced, including a minor.
“The fire was extinguished at 9.19am and no injuries were reported.”
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.