'We lost everything'

A family of 14 from Elsies River has been left destitute after skelms broke into their storage Wendy house, stole furniture and set the hokkie alight.

The fire spread to the main house, destroying everything on the property, including a Kia truck, on Saturday morning.

The Williams family, who runs a catering business, is just grateful that everyone got out alive and unharmed.

The home of Benjamin, 68, and his wife Tersia, 64, in Belcare Close stands blackened by the flames.

Daughter Prudence Williams, 28, says she was first alerted just after 5am when her mother came banging on her window, saying there was a fire in the other bungalow and they should get out immediately.

She lived in an informal structure next to the Wendy house in her parents’ backyard.

Prudence rushed her husband, Patrick Magqaza, 45, and their three kids to safety and got her brother and five cousins out as well.

“We ran with nothing and escaped with nothing but our lives. It could have been so much worse. We are still grateful we survived,” says Prudence.

For now her kids are sleeping with her godmother and neighbours.

Disaster Risk Management has aided the family with essentials like toiletries and blankets, one informal structure and a container to house everyone.

Prudence says: “We sit at the fire all night watching our stuff because people actually stole stuff while it was burning down. It is sad, but at least our home will be rebuilt, from scratch, and we can start again.”

Charlotte Powell of the City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre says the fire destroyed three structures.

“The City’s non-governmental organisation partner, the Mustadafin Foundation, provided humanitarian relief including hot meals, blankets, vanity packs and clothing. An assessment has been conducted and building kits will be issued to residents. The cause of the fire is unknown,” says Powell.