After being unemployed for over a year, Abraham Kotadu from Trenance Park in Verulam had just managed to find a job as a carpenter when his life went up in smoke.
Just two weeks after finding a job, which he described as gift from God, Kotadu came home to ash and dust after fire tore through his house, destroying mementos and priceless possessions. The 34-year-old father of three said the fire happened on Saturday and nobody has any idea how the fire started. “I came home that day around 5.30pm to burned furniture and a number of lost belongings. We have electricity so it wasn’t due to a burning candle, other appliances that could cause this kind of damage were also off.” He said his wife and two children were at home when the house caught fire. “They all ran out and called the neighbours for assistance. I was told the house was in flames and there was black smoke everywhere. It was difficult to get in and try to salvage anything. We were fortunate enough that at least the two rooms in the back were not affected by the fire, just covered in thick, black smoke.” Kotadu is also a grandfather of one and due to his difficulties in finding employment, his eldest daughter assisted them by buying a microwave and fridge. “Along with those items we lost our TV, washing machine, furniture and groceries. “This all went in the fire. It’s such a shame as my daughter is still paying for some appliances. We’re a simple family who live day by day. We don’t have insurances to assist in times like these. If I lose what I have now I’m on the street.”
A neighbour, Krishna Naidoo, who came to the family’s aid, said he was sleeping when he heard screams from the community. “I saw everyone scrambling, trying to do whatever they could to put off the blaze. I managed to break a part of the door and saw the entire lounge on fire. With the assistance of others, we managed to connect a hosepipe to the tap at the back of the house and extinguished the flames.” With no food or proper place to rest, the community have come together to assist Kotadu by reconnecting the electricity and providing food and blankets. The non-profit organisation, Wings of Hope, have also come to the aid of the Kotadu family. Founder of the organisation, Rashika Rampersad, said: “We’ve put it out on several social groups pleading for assistance. I have also requested clothing and canned food items and we are liaising with relevant stakeholders from Verulam to help the family get their lives back to normal.” Ward councillor, Bongani Majola, said the family had yet to reach out to him and only then can he assist. “I will be visiting the family to establish what happen and only then can I activate officials from Disaster Management to assist.” The family has appealed for help in rebuilding their lives, to assist the Kotadu family call 084-892-0856.
