Bonteheuwel ward councillor Angus Mckenzie has asked the community to help the Moodley family of Rooiels Road after a fire ravaged through the storeroom and garage of their home.
Their car and trailer, appliances including a washing machine, tumble dryer, dish-washer and freezer, as well as their clothing, which were kept in the storeroom, were all destroyed on Monday October 15.
For the past seven years, Mr Moodley had been running a madressa from his home, to educate children and teach them how to read the Qur’an. He said he had been purchasing gifts for their concert, which was set to take place in early December, but it might have to be postponed as the children’s Qur’ans and salaah tops were also damaged in the flames.
Fire and rescue services spokesman, Edward Bosch, said the fire was caused by vegetation inside the property catching alight.
“The scene was handed over to a structural engineer. Two fire engines and a rescue vehicle with 12 firefighters were dispatched. No injuries were reported,” he said.
However, Mr Moodley, said no vegetation fire had occurred inside the property and he was unsure as to how the fire started. He said he had been at work when his wife called him at about 11am with the news.
“I rushed home and saw all the neighbours and then I saw the firefighters putting out the fire. We are very sad because we have lost everything and have to start from scratch,” said Mr Moodley.
He was especially worried about the concert for the madressa children.
“We really don’t want to disappoint them because they are looking forward to (the concert). The ward councillor has dropped off some food items for us,” he said.
Mr Mckenzie is asking other residents to make worthy donations to help get the family back on their feet.
“I am appealing to the people of Bonteheuwel and Cape Town to urgently assist this family with rebuilding not just a structure but a lifetime of savings, memories and passion,” he said.
Donations can be dropped off at the ward councillor’s office in Kiaat Avenue in Bonteheuwel or contact Junaid Moodley on 076 100 8116.