Keanan Harmse
An Ocean View family of eight is appealing for assistance with donations after they lost all their belongings when their two bungalows caught fire.
At the time of the fire, the Speelman family was on their way to attend a morning church service on Good Friday, 25 April, recalled the home owner, Martha Speelman.
“We were at church when a friend of mine contacted me to say our bungalows were burning, and the fire fighters were alerted at 08:20. My uncle and his wife were still sleeping inside the house at the time when the fire started,” she said.
She added that the fire was caused by sparks which flew from the family’s brazier.
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said they received numerous calls around 08:20 of a dwelling alight at number 39 Capricorn Road, Ocean View.
Fire crews from Kommetjie, Fish Hoek and Simons Town Fire stations attended to the scene.
“After 09:00, firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze. The formal dwelling at number 39 Capricorn Road and two shacks were completely destroyed. A shack at 42 Aries Way was also destroyed,” he said.
Nobody was injured during the fire.
A neighbour, Vasco Visagie assisted the family in escaping the inferno upon noticing the smoke as he drove to his local church that morning.
“On that day, I took my mom to the Anglican church and just before I got there saw the black smoke and drove towards it and saw the house was alight.
“Once I got there I heard that no-one had alerted the fire services, so I called them. Myself and Angela Fritz shouted and tried to get the people, who were still inside the house at the time, out,” he recalled.
He credited fellow resident Fritz for playing a vital role in rescuing the family.
“She really helped a lot and risked getting burnt going in that intense heat,” he said.
The family are currently staying in a small bedroom with tree adults and five children.
“We desperately need kitchen items such as pots, spoons, forks, a stove as well as bedding, curtains and stationery and school clothes for my two daughters,” she said.
. For more information or to make a contribution contact Speelman at 079 257 9094. Donations can be dropped off at 29 Capricorn Road or at 37 Columbia Road in Ocean View.
