A three-year-old boy, who survived a fire in which his twin cousins died last week, was saved by his sister who ran into the burning room to get him.
Little Denzil Abrahams is still fighting for his life at Red Cross Children’s Hospital.
He suffered third-degree burns from his head to his feet, with only his toes, eyes and lips unaffected.
His cousins, four-year-old Em-Jay and E-Jay Eksteen, both died of their wounds in Red Cross after the fire last Friday.
Thursday, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Voice, Denzil’s mother, Natasha Abrahams, 37, confirmed the children were playing with matches, which led to the fire in the upstairs bedroom of the Kleinvlei house.
HOPING FOR THE BEST: Mom Natasha Abrahams. Photo: JACK LESTRADE
The mom of five says her daughter, Mikayla, 20, takes care of Denzil when she is at work and on Friday while hanging out laundry, she heard the boys screaming.
“The neighbours behind saw the smoke before she did,” says Natasha.
“The boys were playing with matches. She ran into the house and up the stairs, but could not get the door open. The smoke was coming out under the door.
“She screamed for someone to come help. Two men struggled and finally the door opened.
“There was just flames and the twins were found holding onto each other.
“They ran out with them and Mikayla screamed ‘where is my brother?’ and ran into the burning room.
DIED TOGETHER: E-Jay, Em-Jay Eksteen. Photo: JACK LESTRADE
“There was a ring of fire around him where he lay on the mattress under the closed window and she just grabbed him through the flames and ran out.”
She says a neighbour rushed with the children to the Eerste River Hospital and Mikayla called her at work.
“He has third-degree burns everywhere, except his toes, eyes and lips. His left hand is burnt into a fist and his right hand is just melted together.
“He moves his body and his lips when I speak to him, so he is aware I am there,” says Natasha, who hasn’t left her child’s side.
HOPING FOR THE BEST: Mom Natasha Abrahams. Photo: JACK LESTRADE
“He had one skin graft on Monday and the doctor tells me they cannot guarantee his survival.”
She says Denzil will be receiving the second of six skin grafting surgeries today.
“They bring him skin from Joburg. We can only hope and pray he makes it through,” the heartbroken mother says.