Shirdika Ramnarain did not say a final goodbye to her parents and sister at their funeral as she is recovering in hospital after a fire gutted her family home.
|||Durban - Shirdika Ramnarain did not say a final goodbye to her parents and sister at their funeral on Saturday.
The seven-year-old is recovering in hospital after a fire gutted her Mimosa Road house in Ladysmith on Wednesday. Her father, Anesh, 38, mom, Nirvasha, 34, and four-year-old sister, Diaksha, died in the blaze.
Shirdika, a pupil at Hamilton Preparatory School, will be told what happened to her family when she has re-covered.
Sam Maharaj, a reaction officer for NN Alarms, said the family may have died from smoke inhalation.
Maharaj said he and his partner were the first to arrive at the house and heard the family screaming for help.
Anesh and Diaksha died at the scene, while Nirvasha died en route to hospital.
“It was by far the worst scene I have ever attended. Their screams still haunt me,” said Maharaj.
The three were cremated at Clare Estate Crematorium in Durban on Saturday.
Speaking to the Sunday Tribune, Nirvasha’s father, Ramdaw Pahlath, broke down as he spoke about the tragedy.
He said the family had many plans for this year and was planning to throw a big birthday bash for Diaksha and Shirdika in April.
“I cannot believe that they are gone. They had so much to look forward to this year, from celebrating their daughters’ birthdays to moving back to Durban once Anesh’s contract with Eskom ended later this year. Our fondest memories of them were their visits to Durban. They made certain they visited every month. We always counted the days to their arrival.
“We were always sad when they left to go back to Ladysmith. I cannot imagine what life would be like without them, but we have to remain strong for Shirdika,” said Pahlath.
He said Shirdika was transferred from La Verna Private Hospital to Chatsmed Hospital this weekend.
She is unaware of what happened and has not asked for her parents and sister as yet.
Pahlath said they would tell her “when the time was right”.
“I cannot imagine what Shirdika will go through when she finds out, but Anesh’s family and ours will be with her every step of the way,” he said.
The principal of Hamilton Preparatory School, Bridget Painter, said the school was devastated by the deaths.
“They were such a happy family who supported us in all our events. The girls were ideal pupils and were such a joy to be around. We are absolutely shattered and send our condolences to the family,” said Painter.
Police spokesman Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said the cause of the fire was unknown at this stage and the Ladysmith police were still investigating the incident.
An employee of the Ladysmith Fire Department said no one was available to speak to the media about the cause of the fire as their spokesperson was not on duty.
clinton.moodley@inl.co.za
Sunday Tribune