\u201cMy kids! My kids!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These were the desperate cries heard by helpless onlookers as a family burnt to death in their Witsand home on Sunday morning, 14 June. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fire claimed the lives of the couple Kute Mlungiseni and Andiswe Mfolo and three of their four children, Ambesiwe (11), Phelokazi (5), and Ntsika Mfolo (8 months). It also left another 10 families of the area destitute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to neighbour Rexon Valapi, the couple\u2019s eldest child was sleeping at a friend\u2019s house. He said he would be forever haunted by the screams of the children. \u201cI felt helpless, and am disappointed that all we could do was look on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The neighbours were uncertain about how and where the fire had begun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEverything happened so quickly, within 10 minutes all the shacks were burning,\u201d Valapi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other neighbours told Weskus Nuus<\/i> it sounded as if the couple, although trapped inside, were trying to get their children to safety. \u201cThe flames were unfortunately too strong for any of us to do anything,\u201d one said. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t even grab any of our own personal belongings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEveryone was sleeping and one person ran to try and find help,\u201d Valapi recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ANC councillor Nolefefe Mbombo said the fire occurred between 01:00 and 02:00 on Sunday morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said on Sunday afternoon the remains of the deceased were still among the ruins. \u201cResidents had to walk over the family\u2019s remains to see if they could salvage anything,\u201d Mbombo said. \u201cAnd this is causing them more emotional distress.\u201d She said the remains were left on the scene by forensic pathologists, and she had contacted local police for assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe cold weather definitely played a part in the cause of the fire,\u201d Mbombo said, \u201cand I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to learn that someone had left a stove on trying to create some heat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The surviving child, an orphaned 16-year-old, was visibly distraught and is now in the care of social workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sub-council 1 chairperson Nora Grose said she contacted the City\u2019s Disaster Management division to assist residents with relief packages, and councillors will assist with food, clothes and blankets. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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