THE family home belonging to up and coming South African cyclist Jevandre Pauls in Vergenoeg, Buffalo Flats, burnt down on Tuesday afternoon destroying household goods, important documents and valuable bicycles.
Eyewitnesses said a shack attached to the house caught fire first and the flames soon spread to the main house.
“It was the man living in the shack who started the fire, we do not know what he was doing ,” said eyewitness Albert Campbell.
Jevandre, 17, the 2013 Daily Dispatch Spar Cycle Tour Elite winner, was at home with his cousin at the time. The talented young cyclist said by the time they realised it half the house was already on fire .
“We saw the smoke and tried to put the fire out but it was clear it was too late,” he said, adding he had only arrived back in East London on Monday evening from the National junior cycling championships in Cape Town.
“The fire destroyed everything. I’ve lost my time trial bike worth R43000, my track bike worth R42000, my road bike worth R50000 and my competition bike, which was sponsored.”
When the Daily Dispatch arrived on the scene yesterday the damage to the house was evident. Community members had gathered to show support to the Pauls family and offer them blankets.
Frieda Pauls, Jevandre’s mother, said while she was devastated she was grateful none of her children were injured. Jevandre may now miss out on an opportunity to go to Belgium. He was to leave early next week for a cycling competition there but his passport and personal belongings were also lost.
Police spokesman captain Stephen Marais said a man in his twenties has been charged with arson. —
Young cyclist loses everything after family home burns
Eyewitnesses said a shack attached to the house caught fire first and the flames soon spread to the main house.
“It was the man living in the shack who started the fire, we do not know what he was doing ,” said eyewitness Albert Campbell.
Jevandre, 17, the 2013 Daily Dispatch Spar Cycle Tour Elite winner, was at home with his cousin at the time. The talented young cyclist said by the time they realised it half the house was already on fire .
“We saw the smoke and tried to put the fire out but it was clear it was too late,” he said, adding he had only arrived back in East London on Monday evening from the National junior cycling championships in Cape Town.
“The fire destroyed everything. I’ve lost my time trial bike worth R43000, my track bike worth R42000, my road bike worth R50000 and my competition bike, which was sponsored.”
When the Daily Dispatch arrived on the scene yesterday the damage to the house was evident. Community members had gathered to show support to the Pauls family and offer them blankets.
Frieda Pauls, Jevandre’s mother, said while she was devastated she was grateful none of her children were injured. Jevandre may now miss out on an opportunity to go to Belgium. He was to leave early next week for a cycling competition there but his passport and personal belongings were also lost.
Police spokesman captain Stephen Marais said a man in his twenties has been charged with arson. —
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos