Help needed: Meriting family devastated by fire that took young boy’s life and home

A grieving family in Meriting is pleading for help after a devastating shack fire claimed the life of a 7-year-old boy and destroyed everything they owned.

The tragedy struck on the evening of 5 May, shortly after load shedding ended. When the electricity was restored, a surge of power caused exposed wires to spark, igniting a fire that quickly engulfed the family’s shack. At the time, the young boy was inside with his 9-year-old brother while their 38-year-old mother had stepped out to use a communal toilet located a distance away.

The older sibling ran to get help when the fire broke out, but by the time neighbors arrived, the shack was already ablaze and too dangerous to enter due to electrification. Emergency Medical Services responded quickly, but it was too late to save the child. He was laid to rest on 9 May.

Community leader Mxolisi Vuma spoke to GLOBE POST, saying: “This heartbreaking incident has left the family with nothing. They lost their child, their home and all their belongings. We are appealing to the community for any form of assistance – clothing, blankets, furniture, school uniforms, stationery – anything will help.”

Anyone willing to donate or support the family in rebuilding their lives is urged to contact Vuma on 069 331 4717.