A devastating fire destroyed a Hartbeespoort home on Monday morning. Eight of the family’s beloved pets died in the fire.

The devastating scene after the fire.

The home of Francois le Grange and his daughter, Carla, in Jean Botha Avenue in Meerhof, went up in flames around 03:00. “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 said Monday morning.
Carla climbed over the balcony and hung onto the railing, and 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 assist the family, and Necsa Fire, Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) fire unit and Madibeng Fire were at the scene soon. Despite firefighters’ attempts, 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 La 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.”
La 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,” La Grange said.
“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.”