Fire victims thank the community

The Helderkruin family whose house was destroyed by a fire in May has thanked the community for their kindness in helping them after the incident. They have given thanks to everyone who has offered support in their darkest hours of suffering and loss.

“In particular, we would like to thank the very brave firefighters who did their best in the wee hours of Sunday, 26 May, as well as the paramedics who stabilised Peter’s condition after he had suffered three seizures at the scene, and the trauma counsellors and the members of the Roodekrans Neighbourhood watch who were on duty. To everyone present that awful morning, we really are forever grateful for your dedication and hard work,” said the family.

Read the initial article here:

https://roodepoortrecord.co.za/2019/05/26/house-engulfed-flames-heldekruin/

The family received food parcels and donations from various companies after their house was razed to the ground by a fire caused by a candle.

“A big shout out to everyone who donated. Your phone calls, love and compassion, and your donations have made such an impact on our lives.

We would also like to thank Mr Piet Crous, who came to assess the extent of the structural damage. Thank you Julie, for letting your team help Peter load the rubble into the skips. You saved us many hours of work,” said the family.

The family has also released a statement setting the record straight about the incident. This follows a letter from an anonymous citizen that was published in the Roodepoort Record on Friday, 7 June. They say they are horrified by all the reports going around with regards to the incident.

The statement reads as follows:

“As Peter’s family, we were horrified to hear that it was reported that they were living in tents on the property. This was never the case. Initially, out of concern for his domestic worker and his animals, he was going to stay in the garage, which was not affected by the fire. I convinced him late on Sunday, 26 May, that this was not a good idea and that he should come live with me and my husband.

“His son, Gavin, has been staying at different places since the incident. Gavin was going to pitch a tent for his two workers, who have been helping on the property to remove the rubble, but this was not necessary as Peter managed to clean up the flatlet, so that it was decent and comfortable enough for the workers. So this might be where the story of them living in tents, was misconstrued.

“Peter’s parents are both deceased. So it is quite concerning that someone thinks they live in the area. His parents-in-law live in Silverfields.

“In February 2015, a mob of angry squatters marched onto the plot in Princess, where Peter ran a successful business and he and his family lived. Escaping within an inch of their lives, Peter huddled everyone on the property in cars, including their domestic worker and gardener. There was only space left in one of the cars for one dog, so they locked the remaining animals in the house to keep them safe, thinking they would return shortly to collect them, as the police had been called and were on their way. They fled to the safety of a friend’s house in Wilro Park. Barely out of harm’s way, they were making their way back to collect the other animals, when they got the call that their home had been torched by the mob.They stood helplessly on the pavement, watching their home burn to the ground, with their beloved animals inside. This story was reported in the Roodepoort Record following the incident and there are police reports and fire reports to confirm this very unfortunate set of circumstances.

“Sadly, Peter and his family never recovered from this devastating event. From here, started a downward spiral. Unfortunately, none of them received the counselling needed to deal with this trauma. Peter and his wife’s health declined steadily after the plot burnt down. Since then, they faced tremendous challenges.

“The reality was, with both of them not working, they let their insurance on the property at 3 Hantam Street lapse. Hence the dire situation.

“A mere three weeks before the fire in Helderkruin, Peter’s wife passed away. Still reeling in shock from his wife’s death, they now have to cope with this latest set of events.”