A family has been left homeless after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Field Manor, Phoenix, on Saturday night, July 11, leaving behind a lifetime of memories in ashes.

Speaking to the Rising Sun, 45-year-old Reagan Pillay said the fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault and started in his sister’s bedroom at the back of the house.

At the time, his mother and five-year-old niece were watching television in the front of the house, unaware of the danger unfolding behind them, while he was outside.

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“I heard my mum screaming for help. By the time I reached the front door, smoke was already emerging from the house,” he recalled.

According to Pillay, the fire spread with alarming speed. “My mum didn’t realise the room was on fire until the house started filling with smoke. The power had already gone out because I think the cables had burnt. Within seconds, the flames were racing through the roof,” he added.

With both gates locked, the family found themselves trapped inside. Pillay’s mother managed to find a spare key and pass it to him, allowing him to unlock the kitchen gate and enter the smoke-filled house.

“There was no electricity, we couldn’t see anything, and the smoke was so thick. But I know the layout of the house, so I found my way through and managed to get my niece and my nephew out,” he said.

In the process of rescuing his family, Pillay sustained burn injuries. By the time they reached safety and looked back, the blaze had already engulfed the roof.

“It happened so fast,” he said. Neighbours rushed to assist and called the fire brigade while attempting to contain the flames with garden hoses.

Pillay commended firefighters for their swift response. “They arrived within four or five minutes. They told everyone to stand back and immediately started extinguishing the blaze,” he said.

Although firefighters managed to contain the blaze, the damage was extensive. The two back rooms and the kitchen were completely gutted, while the front section of the home sustained severe damage. Despite the devastation, Pillay said the family is grateful that everyone escaped with their lives.

“The most important thing is that no one was seriously injured. We are all safe, but our house is completely destroyed,” Pillay shared.

According to Pillay, the home had been built by his father and had been in the family since 1989. Now, the family faces the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.

Pillay is currently unemployed, his mother survives on social grants, and of the four family members living in the home, only his sister is employed.

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With their home left uninhabitable and limited financial means to repair the damage, the Pillay family is hoping for assistance as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding after the devastating fire.

Should you wish to assist by providing donations or to help repair their home, contact Annie on 076-620-0560, Desigan Govender on 072-397-3311, or CPF Sector 5 chairperson, Leon Moonsamy on 083-703-6963.

Donations of food hampers, bottled water, toiletries, cleaning supplies, bedding, towels, blankets, clothing, furniture, household appliances, and kitchen essentials would be greatly appreciated.