House-fire claimed the lives of three family-members
WHEN the alarm was raised last Sunday that a family of three were trapped inside the upper-level of their double-storey home that had been engulfed in flames, in Silverglen, Chatsworth, neighbours rushed out to assist.
But they were powerless to do anything.
The intensity of flames kept them at bay.
Fire had ripped through the home of Maya Veerappen, 91, who lived with his bedridden wife, Kogie, 89, and their only child Niren, 54.
Veerappen was a retired teacher, a former member of old Clairwood-based Star Orchestra, a long-serving trustee of the SCDIFA, sports, charitable and educational trust and community activist.
Neighbours spotted the family’s white Maltese dog Zoe barking and bobbing near a window as the fire raged on, but it was impossible for them to rescue her.
Firefighters found three bodies in three separate bedrooms after they had brought the inferno under control and they suspect Zoe died from smoke inhalation.
Nkulumo Dube, Division Commander of the Durban Fire Department, confirmed that around 10pm on December 22 a home on Dawnview Road caught alight and killed three people.
Dube said investigations were ongoing and they were yet to establish what triggered the fire.
Veerappen’s daughter-in-law, Prithie, said the family, especially her son, Dhasheyan, was devastated by the deaths of their loved ones. They were not in the house when the incident happened.
“It has been a very difficult time. We await the outcome of DNA test results, which we don't expect to emerge this weekend.
“Once all of that is completed, funeral arrangements can be made.
“I need to be strong for my son”, Prithie said.
Nagappen Sigamoney, SCDIFA’s general secretary said the death of Veerappen and his family members was a “tremendous shock” to their entire board of trustees.
Most disconcerting for them was the manner in which the family died.
“Maya (Veerappen) was a trustee ever since SCDIFA built its hall in Silverglen in the mid-1980s. He served on various sub-committees with distinction.
“He was a good listener and always made valuable contributions in the SCDIFA’s operations.”
Sigamoney said Veerappen retired as a trustee in 2022 due to health reasons.
“Maya served Star Orchestra for many years as their band leader.
“They played mostly eastern and western music and were a big attraction in the old days.”
Sigamoney said Veerappen was fun-loving, often shared anecdotes from down memory lane, and enjoyed a round of golf at times.
“He always gave me good advice, which I appreciated,” said Sigamoney.
Poliah Pulliah, also a SCDIFA trustee, said his friendship with Veerappen dated back to the 1950s.
“We played cricket and soccer for opposing teams at the old South Coast Grounds in Clairwood. Maya played for Bridge View and I belonged to the Junction team.
“Bridge View people lived near the grounds and whenever trouble broke out, they had good support and ammunition, but we have always been good friends.
“His father owned a tea-room on Sidar Road and he taught at a school built by the community of Merebank.”
Pulliah, also a retired teacher, said when the department of education closed down the school and built Ganges Secondary at the site, Veerappen moved to Parsee Rustomjee Primary School, also in Merebank, before moving to various other schools during his teaching career
“We reconnected when I joined SCDIFA as a trustee in 1999.
“He has always been a great guy and good company.
“I was shocked by his death,” said Pulliah.
Like many residents of Clairwood, Veerappen and his family were moved to Chatsworth by the old regime in the 1960s.
Masla Murugan became Veerappen’s neighbour on Dawnview Road when he moved there in 1989.
“He (Veerappen) was the guy who welcomed me together with his wife and mom.
“He was an excellent person with a big heart.”
Murugan said many residents had gathered outside the home when the fire began.
“Huge flames were pouring out through the roof. It kept playing on my mind that three people were in the house.
“Some tried to douse the fire with a garden hose but there was absolutely nothing we could do. It was intense and grew in minutes.
“I can only imagine their suffering,” said Murugan.
Dube said a local security company responded to a panic alert at the Dawnview home around 9pm. The officer who attended, made contact with an elderly gentleman who was cooking food and found all was well.
The security official returned a few minutes later after another alert from the same address, but got the all clear from the owner once again.
“Thirty minutes later the security company was contacted again and informed that the house was on fire.
“The security official realised the house was already engulfed in flames and alerted the fire department.”
Dube said their fire safety unit had done their investigation and were compiling their report.
“If we find there is suspicion of foul play or arson, we will ask the SAPS’ forensics unit to conduct an investigation,” said Dube.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE