A fire broke out at around 3am on Monday, September 21, in a block of flats in Whipclay Walk, Clayfield, South Africa. Residents, who were asleep in their homes at the time, discovered the blaze and quickly responded to prevent it from spreading. The fire allegedly started with a discarded couch on the third floor of the stairwell, which may have been accidentally ignited by drug users.
One of the residents, 41-year-old Dinesh Thulsee, said he was awakened by noises coming from the stairwell before smoke began spreading through the area. As he investigated, he realised that a fire had erupted outside the flats. Thulsee believes that drug addicts, who allegedly congregate on the staircase, may have started the fire. He mentioned that residents often chase them away but they have been coming at night when everyone is asleep.
The flames intensified and quickly spread upwards, catching the roof structure above the stairwell. Thulsee said the fire grew rapidly, and when he opened the door to assess the situation, he was confronted by a wall of flames. To prevent his door from catching alight, he splashed water onto it. However, the residents' efforts were made more difficult by ongoing water supply issues in the area, with no running water available at the time.
Despite the challenges, residents managed to contain the flames using stored water from their homes. The Fire Department later arrived at the scene and extinguished the remaining blaze, ensuring the fire was fully brought under control and did not spread across the entire roof. The quick response by residents likely prevented a more severe outcome, as the interiors of the neighbouring homes were largely spared.
The fire damaged doors, walls, and the roof structure outside the flats, but the residents consider themselves fortunate that the flames did not enter the occupied units. However, the aftermath of the fire remains visible, with the roof covering the stairwell badly damaged, leaving the staircase exposed to rain and harsh weather conditions. Residents fear that without repairs, the stairwell could become dangerous in wet weather.
Many of the families living in the flats are facing financial constraints, making it difficult for them to repair the damage. Thulsee said he is currently unemployed, and several residents are unable to purchase the materials needed to restore the damaged roof or pay for labour costs. As a result, they are appealing for public assistance to restore the damaged stairwell.
The residents are seeking help from businesses, community organisations, and members of the public who may be willing to assist with roofing materials, building supplies, or repairs to restore the damaged stairwell. They hope to complete the repairs before the rainy season so that the staircase can once again provide safe and sheltered access to the families who call the block home.
Key points
- Residents of a South African block of flats prevented a fire from spreading after discovering the blaze at 3am on September 21.
- The fire damaged doors, walls, and the roof structure outside the flats, but the residents' quick response likely prevented a more severe outcome.
- The residents are now appealing for public assistance to restore the damaged stairwell, which was left exposed to the elements.
