House destroyed after gas blast

PORT Elizabeth firefighters fought in vain to save a Gelvandale house from burning to the ground after a gas cylinder in the kitchen exploded and caused an inferno that left the Lewis residence in ashes.

It is believed that Winston Lewis, 35, and his friends were “chilling” at about noon on Friday when they heard a loud bang from the kitchen before a fierce fire broke out.

Lewis said they tried to put it out with water, but the flames quickly spread to the rest of the McManus Crescent house, licking on the asbestos roof and causing all the electrical wires to explode.

He and his three friends, all women, escaped unharmed moments before the roof caved in.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he saw thick smoke coming from the Lewis house and ran in to see if anyone was inside.

“I saw the roof was about to fall in and told them to get out of the house immediately,” he said.

Lewis’s mother, Lena, who lives in Korsten with her sister for health reasons, was sad to see the house in which she raised her three children destroyed. “But it is a blessing in disguise that this house burnt down,” she said, sobbing.

“There is a servant’s room in the back yard and the fire didn’t even get close to it. It shows that the Lord wanted this place burnt down to tell Winston he needs to change his naughty ways and start a new life.”

Lewis was left with only the white shorts he was wearing when the fire broke out. “And his bakkie,” Lena said. “That’s where he can sleep till he finds a place to stay.”

Police spokesman Captain Johan Rheeder said a crime was not suspected.