Joan Cornelius, a Provincial Community Development Worker (CDW) said it is common practice in the area for residents to wire up their window handles.
"Many of the handles have become inoperable due to the fact that the metal of the window frames has rusted away. The residents' lack of money to replace the window frames necessitates that they make a plan to ensure that the windows are closed at night."
Cornelius added that the frames are made from very flimsy material.
At 6:00 am Cllr Theresa Fortuin smelt smoke and then heard the screams of children. The house of her neighbours, Paul and Sandy Joseph, was on fire and the family's four children plus two more children from the extended family were trapped inside. Fortuin's husband Elvis hurled an object through the window allowing him to pull the children to safety.
Mr Joseph's arm was badly cut on the broken glass while passing the children through the window. The family was treated for shock at the George Hospital.
The cause of the fire is unknown, but a source close to the family said that one of the boys was heating glue to fix his shoes when the fire started.
At noon, municipal workers were already erecting a temporary structure and Steven Eras-mus, Director Planning and Housing at the George Municipality attributed their swift reaction to the fact that everything regarding the event was well communicated and that no police reports were called for. Erasmus said he would investigate the unsafe securing of the windows.
Fortuin expressed her appreciation to the George Municipality for their quick response in supplying and erecting the temporary structure.
Another George councillor Belly Cornelius said that the family had lost everything and has appealed to the community to come forward with any type of help. Contact her at 072 125 3715 or Cllr Theresa Fortuin 084 673 7003.
Cllrs Belly Cornelius and Theresa Fortuin with Joan Cornelius, the community development worker in front of the burnt-out Josephs' house in New Dawn Park.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ
