FAMILY appeals for help after house fire.
A family from Bluegum View in Duduza, Ekurhuleni needs help after a devastating house fire claimed the lives of four loved ones and destroyed everything they owned.
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The blaze, which broke out in the early hours of 24 June, left the surviving family members without clothing, furniture, household belongings, and school uniforms for the kids.
The victims were identified as gogo Evelyn Radebe and her grandkids, Ntombizodwa (12) and three-year-old twins, Jabu and Jabulani, who passed away after they were trapped in the burning house.
The tragedy has left the Bluegum View community in mourning.
Family spokeswoman Mphathi Khoza said they're still struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss.
"We're heartbroken. Losing one family member is painful, but losing four loved ones in a day is a tragedy beyond words. The two surviving children, who are still in primary school, also lost all their school uniforms, clothing and personal belongings. We appeal for help for the family during this difficult time," she said.
Community leader Clement Khumalo, who was among the first people to respond to the scene, said the incident has left residents traumatised.
"My wife was leaving for work at around 5am when she noticed smoke coming from the roof of the house. She immediately alerted me and I rushed to the scene," he said.
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services, William Ntladi said firefighters from Duduza fire station responded to a house fire in Sikelele Street in Bluegum section.
"On arrival, members of the community were found to have initiated fire extinguishing operations using the bucket brigade system. Flames were halted from causing extensive damage to the property.
"Four occupants were found lying outside the burnt structure covered under the blankets, a female elderly woman aged around 70, a female patient aged around 10 years old and two males, three years old twins .They had no visible burn wounds as treated by paramedics and all were declared dead at the scene," he said.
