A house was completely gutted by fire in Temba in the early hours of May 12, leaving the community shaken. The blaze broke out at around 3 am, destroying the property and all its contents. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
The house was unoccupied at the time of the incident and was not connected to electricity, raising concerns among residents about the cause of the fire. Community members say this is not the first time an unoccupied house has been destroyed under unclear circumstances.
Neighbour Mr Billy Mabaso said he was awakened by unusual sounds.
“I woke up because I heard sounds like gunshots, but I didn’t know what it was. After a while I heard fire trucks outside, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. They just stood there and watched as the fire died.”
The property is surrounded by thick bush, which was not affected by the flames. Residents suspect the fire may have started inside a shack located in the yard. The structure was reportedly never locked and is believed to have been used by nyaope users.
Community member Mr Bafana Mashego shared his concerns:
“I believe the fire started inside the shack and then spread to the main house. There was no trail of fire outside, which suggests it began inside. It’s possible that some of the boys who use drugs came here, started a fire to keep warm, and it escalated, burning the entire house down.”
The fire did not spread to neighbouring houses, thanks to swift action by residents who managed to control the flames before they could extend further.
In an effort to obtain more details, Moretele Times contacted the spokesperson of Temba Police Station, Mr Herman Moremi, for comment. However, calls and messages went unanswered at the time of publication.
With the help of community members, Moretele Times established that the property belongs to the Legwabe family. The last known resident, Mr Tebogo Legwabe, had moved out after suffering a stroke.
Confirming that he was aware of the incident, Mr Legwabe said:
“Yes, I am aware, but fortunately, I was not there. The police have not come to me to ask for any information, and my son, who used to live there, was also not present when the fire broke out.”
The house remains unoccupied, and residents have expressed concern that it may continue to be used as a shelter by drug users, posing a risk to the safety and well-being of the community.
Police investigations into the cause of the fire are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
