13 May 2021

Harrison house fire prompts outpouring of community support

| Lottie Twyford
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house on fire

The source of the blaze is still unconfirmed. Photo: Salman Khalid.

When a blaze tore through a home in Harrison last Saturday (8 May), a family was left without a home and possessions.

Thankfully, nobody was hurt as the whole family was sitting downstairs when the fire began on the home’s upper level.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

The Emergency Services Agency (ESA) has confirmed the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Joyce Jyubah says she was watching a movie with her nieces and nephews early Saturday afternoon when she heard the upstairs smoke alarm begin to go off.

“I went upstairs and saw fire already on my bed,” she explained.

She had the presence of mind to throw a blanket and water on the bed hoping to extinguish the fire.

However, despite her best efforts, she had no luck and so evacuated the children who were downstairs.

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Once outside, she quickly contacted Emergency Services and the firefighters arrived.

Unfortunately, it was too late to save many, if any, of her possessions.

Shortly after the fire, a close family member started a GoFundMe campaign to assist with the recovery efforts.

Mary Jyubeh, whose sister’s home burnt down, says her sister is a kind and selfless person who does everything she can to help others.

The family is currently in temporary accommodation until they are able to find something more long-term and secure.

Joyce said the Police were helpful in putting them up in a hotel for two evenings and that they are now staying with a friend from church.

Unfortunately, they were not insured.

Many people on Facebook were quick to offer toys, clothes and other possessions to the family.

You can donate to the family in their time of need via the Go Fund Me campaign.

They are currently asking for financial aid as they have no permanent space to put any possessions.

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Whilst sad, I don’t feel that it’s on the community to support a family that doesn’t feel that insurance is necessary.

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