VIDEO: Pastor suffers burns as bakkie burst into flames
A Mitchells Plain pastor suffered serious burn wounds when his bakkie burst into flames at his Lentegeur home on Wednesday.
Gordon Greef, 54, was working on his Mitsubishi Colt V6 double cab bakkie in his carport, which doubles as a church.
The Evangelie Boodskappers Sending Kerk van Suid-Afrika has been in operation at the Lantana Street home for the past six years.
His wife Elizabeth Greef, 54, says the pastor was doing maintenance work on his bakkie moments before the fire started.
“He was sitting inside the bakkie and then flames started coming from the petrol tank which was hanging out on the left side of the vehicle.
“He shouted to alert me that the bakkie was on fire and I ran to neighbours to get help but the fire was so aggressive, there wasn’t anything we could do to douse the flames.
“My husband ran outside and that’s where he collapsed due to smoke inhalation. We didn’t know he was burnt, neither did he know, because he got out of the bakkie so fast .”
Elizabeth says their church opened for the first time last Saturday during the pandemic.
“My husband is stable in hospital but his wounds are serious,” she says.
“The church has now also lost its chairs, speakers, table and curtains.”
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, confirms: “There was fire damage to the dwelling, wall and windows, and the roof of the carport as a result of the heat from the fire.
“One person sustained second-degree burns and was taken to hospital while another person suffered from smoke inhalation, but did not wish to go to the hospital.
“The fire was extinguished at 3.55pm.”
venecia.america@inl.co.za