The charred and grotesquely bent springs of a mattress among the rubble of the France Street home in Timothy Valley, was a harrowing reminder of a 62-year-old grandmother’s desperate last attempt to escape raging flames.
Neighbours speculate that Gladys Palmer, affectionately known as Ouma, in the neighbourhood, tried to escape the falling debris and flames by hiding under her mattress in the early hours of Saturday morning. Sadly, it also became her last resting place.
A family member, Julius Buys, says that it is miraculous that 10 other relatives managed to escape the fire since the occupants were woken by the loud banging of neighbours alerting them of the danger, while peacefully asleep. Gladys’ grandson, Gugu Palmer, managed to grab the children and took them out of the inferno, but could not return to help anyone else due to the intensity of the fire.
Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk conveyed his condolences to the distraught family and arranged with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Disaster Management for temporary relief packages (mattresses, blankets, food and sanitary products) as the family home was completely razed to the ground and they lost all their possessions.
“When I found out about your ordeal this afternoon, I decided to slip out of discussions to conclude our Mayoral Committee, to show you my concern and support.
“I would like to appeal to the community to assist the family and especially the children with school uniforms, food, clothes and any other assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, as it cannot be easy to lose all your earthly belongings and your grandmother at the same time,” Mayor Van Niekerk said.
The call to the Fire and Emergency Services was received at 03:39 on Saturday and the first fire engine arrived at the scene at 04:08. The fire was completely extinguished by 05:06.
The municipality’s Electricity and Energy Directorate disconnected the house from the electricity grid and restored supply for the rest of France Street.
NMB Communications
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