Fire leaves visually-impaired pensioner homeless
Appeal for assistance to rebuild
A 72-year-old man has lost all of his precious belongings and his home in a devastating fire.
A devastating fire last week claimed the home and belongings of Matias Shiponeni, a 72-year-old visually-impaired man from Hakahana in Katutura.
Shiponeni had stepped outside briefly at midnight when the fire broke out, unaware that it would be the last time he would set foot in his cherished residence.
As he made his way back to his home, he veered slightly from his path to visit his neighbours, who were still awake. Much to his dismay, they alerted him to the heart-wrenching news that his house was on fire.
Cause unknown
Shiponeni said efforts to extinguish the fire were futile as the entrance was already engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived when everything in the house was already burned down to ashes.
He said the fire started in his 40-year-old son’s bedroom, but he was luckily not there. “We are still not sure of the cause as our gas cylinder was empty and we use a torch for light,” Shiponeni told Namibian Sun.
Assistance to rebuild
The family is actively seeking good Samaritans who could assist with anything to help rebuild.
“We do not have the money to rebuild. Anything from corrugated iron to poles or roof material would be much appreciated. Our neighbours are currently assisting us with shelter,” Shiponeni said.
Meanwhile, the local counsellor's office has provided four corrugated irons and poles.
He could not obtain assistance from the governor’s office to date, as she was attending independence celebrations in Katima Mulilo. “They took my number and said they would get back to me,” Shiponeni said.
Shiponeni had stepped outside briefly at midnight when the fire broke out, unaware that it would be the last time he would set foot in his cherished residence.
As he made his way back to his home, he veered slightly from his path to visit his neighbours, who were still awake. Much to his dismay, they alerted him to the heart-wrenching news that his house was on fire.
Cause unknown
Shiponeni said efforts to extinguish the fire were futile as the entrance was already engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived when everything in the house was already burned down to ashes.
He said the fire started in his 40-year-old son’s bedroom, but he was luckily not there. “We are still not sure of the cause as our gas cylinder was empty and we use a torch for light,” Shiponeni told Namibian Sun.
Assistance to rebuild
The family is actively seeking good Samaritans who could assist with anything to help rebuild.
“We do not have the money to rebuild. Anything from corrugated iron to poles or roof material would be much appreciated. Our neighbours are currently assisting us with shelter,” Shiponeni said.
Meanwhile, the local counsellor's office has provided four corrugated irons and poles.
He could not obtain assistance from the governor’s office to date, as she was attending independence celebrations in Katima Mulilo. “They took my number and said they would get back to me,” Shiponeni said.
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