A Manenberg family have been left homeless after their council flat went up in flames on Sunday night.
Sisters Brenda and Martha Linders, who have lived in Isabel Court for almost 50 years, say they have been forced to sleep at a neighbour’s home after their top-storey flat was destroyed in the blaze.
Martha, 58, says shortly after 9pm she heard her daughter screaming and then saw flames coming from one of the rooms.
“She just started shouting that there is a fire and everyone ran. There are four adults in the house and two children,” Martha says.
“All the neighbours jumped in to try and save what we could, but we are just glad nobody was hurt.”
Fire and Rescue Services spokesman, Theo Layne, says they received the call for help at 9.36pm and 14 firefighters were sent to the scene.
FLAMES: Electrical fault. Photo: MONIQUE DUVAL
“The flat was damaged by the water, heat and smoke. Six people have been displaced and no injuries or fatalities were recorded. The cause is an electrical short circuit.”
Brenda, 52, says they slept at a neighbour’s home and are now waiting for feedback from the City about where they will be moved to while repairs are carried out.
“They told us to submit an affidavit and get an incident number from the police. We are waiting to hear if we will get a container. But we don’t even have clothes or food. So we really need help.”
If you would like to assist call Lameez on 084 928 1343.