Montclair father recalls moment family escaped burning home
A Montclair family has been left devastated after the house they bought just last year burnt down to the ground.
On Monday night Kyle Oliver, a father of two toddlers, was woken up by his frantic dogs only to notice that the house was on fire.
"When I got to the kid's lounge, that's where the fire originated, I saw the fire was just a bit too much to contain and we had to evacuate the building.
"I had to run upstairs for my daughter, wake my wife up, my son was sleeping. I think five minutes from the time getting them out my wife went out from the front, my son and I went out from the back. Already half the house was gone, we basically lost everything."
Oliver says they are heartbroken as they were busy renovating the 70-year-old house.
While the family suffered no injuries they were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation.
Oliver says even while watching their home being gutted by flames, they were overwhelmed by the love and help they received from the community.
"The pastor, neighbours, everybody was there while the ambulance and paramedics were there. The community was already asking, rallying and getting some blankets for us. You find the ward councillor Gavin, community leaders, churches - the responses have been so phenomenal."
Ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter says he has requested eThekwini's Disaster Management Department to assist and has praised the community for their swift response.
MORE ON ECR
