A family was left homeless after a fire destroyed their single-storey home in Phoenix.
Image: Supplied
A FAMILY was left homeless after an early morning fire destroyed their single-storey home in Greenbury, Phoenix.
Sydney Dlembula, 33, a pharmacist, said the property belonged to his mother and had been the family home for nearly two decades.
“This was my mother’s home where we grew up. I got a call from my sister to say the house was on fire. It happened just after my wife dropped off our newborn daughter at their home. My sister keeps her for us,” Dlembula said.
He said his sister, her three children and his baby were in the lounge as the children got ready for school.
"The fire started in my sister’s room. She said the fire started from the cupboard. We know there is an outlet behind the cupboard which we have never used,” he said.
He said the family got out safely but the home was completely burnt.
"There is nothing left. Only the garage did not burn, which had nothing in it."
The destroyed home.
Image: Supplied
The emotional toll of the incident has been significant for the family.
“It was very traumatic for us to see the house burning. You hear stories but do not imagine it happening to you. When I arrived, I thought only a part of the house was burnt, not the entire thing. We are deeply upset."
Gareth Naidoo, spokesperson for KZN VIP Protection Services, said emergency responders arrived to find the home already engulfed in flames.
Despite first responders' efforts to contain the flames while awaiting the fire department, the fire had already consumed the structure. About five occupants from the home were assessed by our medics for smoke inhalation after being exposed to smoke, while the fire was burning. “Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported,” he said.
Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the cause of the fire.