Durban - Six people have been left homeless and expected to have a bleak Christmas after their homes burnt to the ground in the south Durban community of Wentworth.
Bruce Rogers, 52, a plumber, was not at home when the fire started. His family lived in two Wendy houses on the property.
Looking at a heap of ash, bricks and two bed springs, Rogers said the fire was alleged to have started when a cigarette lighter exploded in one of the rooms on Tuesday evening.
The Wendy houses are situated at the back of the property alongside the main building.
His son, Bradley, and two others occupied one of them. The other is occupied by his daughter her husband and their two-year-old son.
“The fire spread quickly and even on to the neighbours’ outhouses. The neighbours used garden hoses and buckets of water to douse the flames before the fire department arrived. We have to restart life again. Everything was burnt. Relatives have taken my daughter in, in the interim. My son and the others are living with me,” Rogers said.
eThekwini ward councillor Aubrey Snyman said the family did not have a sustainable income to pick up the pieces because most companies were closing and job opportunities were scarce.
Anyone willing to help the family can call Snyman at 082 700 7081.
Wentworth resident Bruce Rogers with the remains of his family belongings and Wendy houses after a fire ripped through it this week.
Daily News