'Mystery fires' haunt family
2002-05-14 14:54
Dludluma - A family in Dludluma near Malelane isn't exaggerating when they call their lives a 'living hell'.
They say a demonic fire sparks spontaneously inside a wardrobe in their house, endangering their lives.
The house isn't electrified and the family insists they don't start the fires.
Miriam Mdluli said: "We only cook and light fires outside the house and, anyway, the fire starts inside a clothes cubboard."
The fire has started three times since April and always during the day when the family is sitting outside.
The Salvation Army donated blankets to the family after the first fire, but most of them burned in the second fire, which was especially bad and injured seven-year-old Ronald Nyalunga.
"He was sleeping and got badly burned because the blanket he was using caught alight," said Mdluli.
The child is still in hospital, recovering from severe burns.
The third fire was on Tuesday last week and the family lost the contents of their lounge.
Nkomazi mayor Selby Khumalo has visited the house to assess the damage. "We are looking for ways to help the family," he said.
Inspector Mvuzo Mhlongo of Tonga police said Mdluli should report the fires to the police for them to investigate.
The family refuses to leave their home and are hoping the Nkomazi community can help them solve the mystery of the fires so that they can live in peace. - African Eye News Service