3 families left homeless after fire
|Published
Selvador Bones and Laura Mitchell lost their home in the fire. Picture: Monique Duval Selvador Bones and Laura Mitchell lost their home in the fire. Picture: Monique Duval
Three Manenberg families have been left homeless after a fire ripped through their backyard dwellings in Letaba Road on Monday.
Mom Nadia Bones, 32, says they were forced to run for their lives, leaving all their possessions behind as the flames spread quickly.
“It was just after 2pm, I was here at the back when I heard someone shout my name and that it is burning,” she explains.
“When I looked, I saw the flames and we all ran to get out.
“The smoke was everywhere and I am lucky my children were at school.
“The fire destroyed all three Wendy houses. We are not sure how it started, but they said it was an electrical wire.”
Nadia Bones and her family lost everything in the fire. Picture: Monique Duval
Bones says a neighbour who tried to assist them suffered from smoke inhalation.
“Everyone was running to get water to help. He came and was choking on the smoke but he is okay now, his chest is just sore.”
Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, says they responded at 2.27pm and the fire was extinguished an hour later.
“The cause is unknown.”
Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Charlotte Powell, confirms three informal structures were destroyed and 13 people displaced.
3 families left homeless after fire. Picture: Monique Duval
Domestic worker Laura Mitchell, 36, says she was at work when her son came to call her.
“I was working so hard and put away R870 for my children to buy them jackets for winter and now that is also gone,” a sad Laura says.
“I am happy that everyone is safe, but we really have nothing left.”
Anyone wanting to help can call Ebrahiem on 074 733 1501.