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"title": "Bleak Christmas as fire destroys block of flats in Newclare, Johannesburg",
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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I heard a bang. There were four gas tanks in that flat. I said to my partner, babe, hulle breek die venster, hulle break die kar se venster. At first I thought someone was breaking into the cars, but then I heard a second bang. We went out to see. I saw a lady run out of her flat with her children screaming.” The chilling words from an unidentified woman who described how she was woken up by a fire that ripped through a block of flats in the early hours of Wednesday, 23 December 2020, in Newclare, Johannesburg.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797243 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9602.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1576\" /> The caved-in roof on the top floor of Dulcie Flats after it was gutted by fire. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With just a few days before Christmas, several families from Dulcie Flats were left homeless by the fire. While there were no injuries, they lost all their belongings. Residents say a fight between a couple led to the fire.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797246 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9593.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> An image taken from the back of Dulcie Flats showing the burnt-out flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A distraught Karen Andrews had to be comforted by neighbours before speaking to <em>Daily Maverick</em>: “They had an argument that started at 7pm. It went on the whole night. It went on physically and verbally. He threatened to shoot anyone who went to his door that tried to intervene. We were scared and took his threat seriously. At some point, he left and we were able to doze off.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797254 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9637.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Karen Andrews standing in what remains of her kitchen. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andrews says: \"We were woken up by a neighbour who was screaming that a flat was on fire. It was their flat. We had to break down their door to access the flat. Where are they now? We sitting in this mess. I was telling a neighbour two days ago, I did not know what we were going to be eating on Christmas day. Now I don’t know where am I going to be staying. It’s a bonus I have on all my problems.”</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797241 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9002.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Karen Andrews surrounded by clothing donated to her and her family in a tent that now serves as her new home. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neighbour Lazarus Moletsi added: </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This was all caused because a boyfriend and girlfriend were fighting. What I heard was a sound. 'BOOOOOF’ the gas canisters, four of them. That made everything worse. I lost everything in the house, the room dividers, new sofas, my DStv, fridge, everything. We always hear about these things, but when it happens to you, then only will you feel the pain. I have to start afresh. I am a pensioner. That is a problem.\"</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797245 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9521.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2322\" height=\"1548\" /> Lazarus Moletsi trying to salvage what he can. Moletsi, who is a pensioner, now has to start afresh after losing everything. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">William Rayners recounted: “I was sleeping. What woke me up was one of the explosions. One of the kids was screaming: it's burning, it’s burning. I thought my flat was on fire. I went to check. The shouting and screaming from outside was what diverted my attention. We had to run around trying to get water to extinguish the fire. It was a failed attempt, but we managed to get everyone out. We had to break down doors and windows, especially where there were kids. We gathered them to safety, away from the smoke. That was a priority. We managed to get everyone to safety, but could not save anyone’s stuff. The least we could do was to save lives, which was the most important thing.”</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797255 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Two men stand on a balcony watching the activities at the bottom of the flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Residents also blame the fire department for not being able to contain the blaze by not having any water in their fire engines. A woman who did not want to be identified said: </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They came without water. The first flat was burning. The second truck came. It also did not have water. We told them about a borehole at a nearby mosque. Why do they come without water when they are called to a fire?”</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797256 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9904.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> An image from the top of a hill showing the emergency vehicles and tents being erected shortly before sunset. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spokesperson for the City of Joburg Emergency Management Services Robert Mauludzi responded that the fire department “had no water because there is no fire hydrant there, and they had to go and refill at a nearby hydrant”.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797247 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC0024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> People stand in line waiting to receive food. Residents and neighbouring communities rallied to feed everyone at Dulcie Flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a display of comradeship, neighbouring communities assisted the victims by providing them with groceries and other essentials.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-797242 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9878.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2325\" height=\"1550\" /> EMS personnel construct tents to house those who were left homeless. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The families were provided with temporary shelter in the form of tents by the City of Joburg. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“I heard a bang. There were four gas tanks in that flat. I said to my partner, babe, hulle breek die venster, hulle break die kar se venster. At first I thought someone was breaking into the cars, but then I heard a second bang. We went out to see. I saw a lady run out of her flat with her children screaming.” The chilling words from an unidentified woman who described how she was woken up by a fire that ripped through a block of flats in the early hours of Wednesday, 23 December 2020, in Newclare, Johannesburg.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797243\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797243 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9602.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1576\" /> The caved-in roof on the top floor of Dulcie Flats after it was gutted by fire. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With just a few days before Christmas, several families from Dulcie Flats were left homeless by the fire. While there were no injuries, they lost all their belongings. Residents say a fight between a couple led to the fire.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797246\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797246 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9593.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> An image taken from the back of Dulcie Flats showing the burnt-out flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A distraught Karen Andrews had to be comforted by neighbours before speaking to <em>Daily Maverick</em>: “They had an argument that started at 7pm. It went on the whole night. It went on physically and verbally. He threatened to shoot anyone who went to his door that tried to intervene. We were scared and took his threat seriously. At some point, he left and we were able to doze off.\"</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797254\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797254 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9637.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Karen Andrews standing in what remains of her kitchen. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andrews says: \"We were woken up by a neighbour who was screaming that a flat was on fire. It was their flat. We had to break down their door to access the flat. Where are they now? We sitting in this mess. I was telling a neighbour two days ago, I did not know what we were going to be eating on Christmas day. Now I don’t know where am I going to be staying. It’s a bonus I have on all my problems.”</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797241\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797241 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9002.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Karen Andrews surrounded by clothing donated to her and her family in a tent that now serves as her new home. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neighbour Lazarus Moletsi added: </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“This was all caused because a boyfriend and girlfriend were fighting. What I heard was a sound. 'BOOOOOF’ the gas canisters, four of them. That made everything worse. I lost everything in the house, the room dividers, new sofas, my DStv, fridge, everything. We always hear about these things, but when it happens to you, then only will you feel the pain. I have to start afresh. I am a pensioner. That is a problem.\"</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797245\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2322\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797245 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9521.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2322\" height=\"1548\" /> Lazarus Moletsi trying to salvage what he can. Moletsi, who is a pensioner, now has to start afresh after losing everything. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">William Rayners recounted: “I was sleeping. What woke me up was one of the explosions. One of the kids was screaming: it's burning, it’s burning. I thought my flat was on fire. I went to check. The shouting and screaming from outside was what diverted my attention. We had to run around trying to get water to extinguish the fire. It was a failed attempt, but we managed to get everyone out. We had to break down doors and windows, especially where there were kids. We gathered them to safety, away from the smoke. That was a priority. We managed to get everyone to safety, but could not save anyone’s stuff. The least we could do was to save lives, which was the most important thing.”</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797255\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797255 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> Two men stand on a balcony watching the activities at the bottom of the flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Residents also blame the fire department for not being able to contain the blaze by not having any water in their fire engines. A woman who did not want to be identified said: </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“They came without water. The first flat was burning. The second truck came. It also did not have water. We told them about a borehole at a nearby mosque. Why do they come without water when they are called to a fire?”</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797256\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797256 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9904.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> An image from the top of a hill showing the emergency vehicles and tents being erected shortly before sunset. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spokesperson for the City of Joburg Emergency Management Services Robert Mauludzi responded that the fire department “had no water because there is no fire hydrant there, and they had to go and refill at a nearby hydrant”.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797247\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797247 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC0024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /> People stand in line waiting to receive food. Residents and neighbouring communities rallied to feed everyone at Dulcie Flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a display of comradeship, neighbouring communities assisted the victims by providing them with groceries and other essentials.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_797242\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2325\"]<img class=\"wp-image-797242 size-full\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC9878.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2325\" height=\"1550\" /> EMS personnel construct tents to house those who were left homeless. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The families were provided with temporary shelter in the form of tents by the City of Joburg. </span><b>DM</b>",
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The caved-in roof on the top floor of Dulcie Flats after it was gutted by fire. (Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed)
An image taken from the back of Dulcie Flats showing the burnt-out flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Karen Andrews standing in what remains of her kitchen. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Karen Andrews surrounded by clothing donated to her and her family in a tent that now serves as her new home. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Lazarus Moletsi trying to salvage what he can. Moletsi, who is a pensioner, now has to start afresh after losing everything. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
Two men stand on a balcony watching the activities at the bottom of the flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
An image from the top of a hill showing the emergency vehicles and tents being erected shortly before sunset. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
People stand in line waiting to receive food. Residents and neighbouring communities rallied to feed everyone at Dulcie Flats. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)
EMS personnel construct tents to house those who were left homeless. (Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed)