Pietermaritzburg family loses home and memories in devastating fire
A family of seven from Northdale in Pietermaritzburg is struggling to come to terms with losing parts of their home following a fire.
Yashika Sukhaye, 41, said she was born and raised in the home, and lived there with her mother, sister, husband and two sons.
Sukhaye said the fire started in the master bedroom at around 10.45am on Saturday, while her mom and younger son were at home.
“My husband and I were at work and my sister and older son went out. My mother was washing clothes in the backyard and my son, Nirav, who is 10, was with her. They were not aware of the fire until a neighbour alerted them. The neighbour went to smoke in his yard when he saw the fire. He called for my son, who then saw the flames. The neighbour then called me at about 11am.
“All I could think about was my son. He always watched television in our bedroom, which was the master bedroom. We rushed home and thank God, we saw our family was unharmed.”
She said her son tried to save sentimental items, including photographs, but he had to leave empty handed.
“The neighbours tried to put off the fire with hose pipes and buckets of water until the fire brigade arrived but the fire kept spreading. Another neighbour saved our dog.
“When I saw my home, I was in tears. We worked so hard to accumulate the items we had, just for it to be lost in an instant.”
“We lost all our photos. We have no memories left. My children even lost their school uniforms and textbooks. We are not insured, so it is heartbreaking to start from scratch.”
She said she was grateful for all her neighbours’ help.
“Everyone has been helping us get on our feet. We are truly grateful.”
They are currently living with family.