Several families in Retreat lost all their belongings, including school clothes and stationery, when their homes went up in flames on Thursday 30 December.
Charvonne Petersen says she was at home when she first started smelling smoke.
“The fire started by us. I was the only one at home at the time, and the guy who lives at the back. I could smell smoke and just had to run and couldn’t even take anything with me.”
She said the kitchen, roof, furniture, stove, microwave and everything was destroyed.
“It was hectic, we couldn’t save anything. Luckily my two children were not home at the time.
“I bought their school stationery during the holidays, but that was also destroyed.”
Petersen says she will send her eight-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter to school in casual clothes when schools reopen (tomorrow, 19 January).
“I’m sending them like that to school because right now we don’t have any other option.”
The family has since moved in with Petersen’s aunt.
“It’s tough for everyone. My son is still traumatised. He saw the house on fire.”
Her neighbour Conrad Kramer, who was also home at the time of the fire, tried to assist.
“I lived in a wendy house in the backyard next door. The fire started at around 15:00, luckily it was afternoon.”
Kramer says the direction of the wind changed, which turned the blaze on to their homes.
“The fire broke out next door. The wind suddenly changed and then the wendy houses caught fire and the house after that. Everything happened in 25 minutes.”
He added that the walls of the front house caught fire as well as the kitchen and living room.
“We lost everything in the wendy houses, but luckily my dad who lives in the house still has furniture.”
Kramer says the community was very helpful.
“We received a lot of donations, but are currently struggling to get the ceiling of the house redone.”
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said they were alerted to a fire of a dwelling in Sullivan Street, Retreat, at 15:10 on Thursday 30 December.
“Crews from Wynberg, Salt River and Goodwood were on scene with five firefighting appliances and a total of 19 staff members.
“The fire was extinguished after 17:00 but a firefighter got injured and was transported to a nearby hospital.”
He added that damages incurred at one property included the kitchen, bathroom and the lounge area, whilst the wendy house at the rear of the house was completely destroyed.
“Approximately 16 persons were displaced and accounted for,” said Carelse.
