Hartbeespoort father rescues daughter as fire guts home, 8 pets perish
'I woke up to my daughter screaming. She lives on the top floor. When I ran up the steps to the door connecting the two units, I encountered flames. I screamed at her to get out on the balcony and ran around the house,' a traumatised Le Grange told Kormorant.
Carla climbed over the balcony and held onto the railing. Le Grange managed to reach her legs and pull her down.
'I ran back to the front door on the top floor to try and get to the three dogs, five cats and the African Grey that were with her. However, I could not get in. Everything was engulfed in flames.'
Neighbours rushed to help the family, and Necsa Fire, Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and Madibeng Fire were soon on the scene. Despite firefighters' efforts, the top floor of the house was completely destroyed.
'I was looking for the animals this morning. I found the German Shepherd's carcass, but there was nothing left of the two Yorkies and four cats. All that was left in the bird cage was a small heap of ashes.'
Two of Le Grange's dogs, which were with him in the ground-floor unit, escaped the fire. 'It seems one of the cats also managed to get out and was seen running around by people on the scene.'
The cat has since been found.
Le Grange's wife passed away four months ago, and he was living with his daughter in the house.
'We don't know what caused the fire. It started in Carla's unit. I doubt whether it will be possible to save any part of the house. Even the nose of the car in the garage melted from the heat. I am waiting for the assessors. I would like to know how the fire started,' said Le Grange.
'I want to thank everyone who came to our rescue – both neighbours and the firemen who did a wonderful job. My daughter is safe, I am safe, and I am thankful for that.'
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on kormorant.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Vultures fly free after being rescued from muti-trade
Two Cape vultures that were destined for the muti trade were part of a group of five, were released to fly free in the Magaliesberg near Hartbeespoort recently, after a long rehabilitation road at Vulpro, an organisation whose sole focus is saving Africa's vultures. According to Tracy Karam of Vulpro in Hartbeespoort, an adult female Cape vulture was rescued a year ago after being illegally captured for the muti trade. 'Acting on information received, law enforcement authorities seized the bird and brought her to Vulpro for treatment and rehabilitation. On arrival she was severely dehydrated, emaciated, and had all her wings' feathers removed. 'It took nearly a year for her feathers to regrow fully before we could even consider her release,' Karam said. A second female was rescued in Limpopo after also being illegally captured for the muti trade. 'She arrived at Vulpro on 28 December 2024 in critical condition – emaciated, dehydrated, and suffering from a pneumothorax. We were deeply concerned about potential damage to her organs and her overall chances of recovery. 'After months of intensive care, she has regained full strength and health. Today, she was released to live free and wild again.' The other three vultures that were released as part of the group, were rescued after being injured in the wild. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Significant strides in school sanitation: 97% of schools now equipped
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the R5.5 billion spent in School Infrastructure Backlogs Grant has been audited since the inception of the SAFE initiative. Image: Department of Basic Education South Africa / Facebook A total of 97% of schools identified in 2018 for the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) programme have been provided with safe and appropriate sanitation facilities as of July, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said. 'The Department of Basic Education has advised that, as of 1 July 2025, out of the total 3 372 schools identified for intervention through the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) Initiative, a total of 3,254 schools (97%) had been provided with safe and appropriate sanitation facilities,' Gwarube said. She was responding to IFP MP Siphosethu Ngcobo when he asked about the progress made in eradicating pit latrines at public schools in each province since the launch of the SAFE initiative in 2018. Gwarube's responses showed that the breakdown of schools in the Eastern Cape was 1,361, KwaZulu-Natal 1,329, Limpopo 447, Mpumalanga 103, and the Free State 14. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The minister said 73 of the remaining 118 pit toilet projects, identified under the SAFE initiative, were planned for completion in the 2025/26 financial year. 'The balance of 45 remaining pit toilet projects, identified under the SAFE initiative, were initially delayed due to funding constraints from certain donor partners. They have since been reallocated to performing implementing agents and are earmarked for completion in the current financial year.' Gwarube also said the Department of Basic Education remained committed to ensuring that all pit latrines identified through the SAFE initiative were eradicated and replaced. 'Furthermore, the Department of Basic Education remains committed to ensuring that all pit latrines not identified under the SAFE initiative are identified and replaced by provincial Education Departments as soon as possible. 'Our goal is to provide safe, age-appropriate, and dignified sanitation facilities that create an enabling learning environment where every learner can focus on their education,' she said. Gwarube added that R5.5 billion spent in the School Infrastructure Backlogs Grant (SIBG) has been audited since the inception of the SAFE initiative. Her response showed that the Eastern Cape expenditure totalled R3.4 billion, KwaZulu-Natal R1.5 billion, and Limpopo R498 million. The Free State and Mpumalanga showed no expenditure on the SIGBG because they have been entirely funded by the Provincial Education Infrastructure Grant or funded through donor funding. Gwarube said the department remained resolute in its commitment to eliminating all unsafe sanitation infrastructure at public schools across the country.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Fun day of fire drills and football for Osizweni children
Fun day of fire drills and football for Osizweni children The Ballito Lions Club treated 45 underprivileged pupils from Osizweni Primary School to a day of sport and fun at Townsend Park on Saturday. The school, located in Driefontein in Upper Tongaat, has 200 pupils and does not charge fees. Despite government funding, it still faces shortages of uniforms, stationery, food, furniture and maintenance. Earlier this year, the Lions donated 80 chairs, shoes and jerseys for winter. 'This school is in dire straits and needs a lot of assistance,' said club president Paul Naidoo. The children, accompanied by teachers, travelled to the Lions' Ballito clubhouse for breakfast before playing soccer and basketball. A highlight was an inspirational talk and fire safety demonstration by the KwaDukuza Fire and Emergency Service. 'KwaDukuza municipality was generous enough to send the team. They told the children they too could be firefighters one day,' said Naidoo. After a braai lunch, the pupils enjoyed music and dancing before receiving grocery hampers. It was the third time in recent years the Lions have hosted Osizweni Primary. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
