Franschhoek home destroyed by flames
2010-08-05
Lise Beyers
A LIFETIME of memories was wiped out in a matter of minutes on Saturday, when a Franschhoek couple’s house was destroyed by fire. The fire broke out shortly before 03:00 in the roof of the Cape/Dutch revival style home in Nerina Street. Owners David and Annette Kislingbury were awoken by the smell of burning plastic, and when they realised that a fire had started in the ceiling of their home, they fled to safety. The Stellenbosch fire department arrived on the scene ten minutes after an emergency call, but by then the house had been engulfed in flames. A spokesperson of the fire department said that the fire was completely out of control. “Because of the thatched roof and amount of wood, there was no stopping the inferno. “We then concentrated on preventing the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings.” They have been left devastated and were this week not willing to talk to the press. But a family member, Paul Hawthorne, said that the couple were still trying to come to terms with their loss. “Everything has gone. Sixty years of memories and family heirlooms have been converted into ash.” The couple, who are originally from the United Kingdom, moved to Franschhoek ten years ago, after falling in love with South Africa. Family and friends are now assisting them in rebuilding their lives. It is not yet known how the fire started, but an electrical fault is considered a likely cause of the conflagration.
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