Cape Town - Tears flowed in Strandfontein yesterday after a mother and daughter died in a fire that ripped through their home during the early hours.
Shocked neighbours and family gathered at what remained of the home in Gate Green Road, where the bodies of Ruth September and her 17-year-old daughter, Kirsten, were found.
A heartbroken grandfather, Samuel September, 68, said he was woken by a phone call from his son.
“My son Gary called me at about 1.30am and told me the house was on fire.
“I immediately rushed to the scene and he told me the fire brigade was on its way.
“When we arrived the flames had already engulfed the house and I thought to myself, how can anyone survive this?
“Their older daughter, Michaela, managed to escape as her room was downstairs, but Ruth and Kirsten were asleep upstairs.”
September said his traumatised son had been hospitalised.
“He noticed the fire when he came down the stairs.
“He shouted for Michaela to get out and he tried to get back in the house to douse the flames but the fire spread rapidly and he suffered burns.
“We do not know how the fire started.”
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said firefighters received the call for help at 1.15am.
“The City’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at approximately 1.15am of a double-storey dwelling alight and possible persons trapped.
“Fire crews from Mitchells Plain, Ottery and Lakeside were dispatched.
“By 2.45am firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze that had gutted the house.
“Two adults – a man and a woman – were treated for smoke inhalation.
“Unfortunately, a woman and a young girl sustained fatal burn wounds.
“A building inspector was requested as the formal house sustained substantial structural damages. The cause is yet to be determined and the scene was handed over to the SAPS,” said Carelse.
South Peninsula High School released a statement on the death of Kirsten, who was a Grade 11 learner at the school.
September said they received an early-morning call from the school principal who offered his condolences to the family.
“He described (Kirsten) as decent child who would never backchat an adult.
“Ruth has been my daughter for 26 years and she will always be remembered for her soft-spoken nature and being a great mom.
“In all the years I have never heard her scold her children. She was a very involved mom who would handle every situation calmly,” September said.
“Her mother was on the scene and is devastated by the loss. Right now the family is very traumatised.”
Cape Argus