A Scottsville family, including two children, had a lucky escape when a fire razed their shack.
The fire gutted the family home in Snell Street on Tuesday night, leaving eight people without shelter.
They lost everything in the blaze.
The shocked oupa, Steven du Preez, is grateful no one died in the fire: “We were all fast asleep when the fire happened. Two L-shaped structures were burnt to the ground.
“I got up in my pyjama pants while the flames were all around us. The first thing we did was to rescue the two children, aged three and nine.”
The oupa, who said he is still in shock, added: “We don’t know what caused the fire. It all happened so fast and we couldn’t save any of our possessions. My last R400 of my pension money and my ID also went up in flames.”
He said they have “nothing left for Christmas”, but is grateful no one got hurt.
Willie du Preez, a member of the family, said: “We thank God because everything burnt in minutes. I woke up when my wife, Monica, alerted me to the fire.”
The City’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said they received the call just after 11pm of informal structures alight. Fire crews from Brackenfell, Kraaifontein and Bellville extinguished the fire after midnight.
“Two informal structures were completely destroyed in the fire. One adult male was treated for smoke inhalation...”
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The family appealed for any help. Contact Willie on 071 856 9478.