Cape Town – South African swimming star Chad le Clos has revealed that he lost his Cape Town home in a devastating fire while he was competing for the country at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The fire broke out at the Dorchester apartment building on High Level Road in Sea Point on 30 July.
Firefighters from several stations responded to the blaze, which engulfed the building’s top floor and caused the roof to collapse. Emergency crews worked throughout the night to contain the fire. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the incident.
Ironically, as the fire destroyed his home of more than ten years, the 34-year-old Olympic champion was making history in Scotland by breaking the all-time Commonwealth swimming record.
Chad confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday, saying it had taken him several days to come to terms with the tragedy.
“It has taken me a while to process this heartbreaking tragedy. On the evening of 30 July, amidst breaking the all-time Commonwealth record, a fire started in my apartment block, which quickly spread to my home. Sadly, my home, where I’ve lived for more than a decade, burnt down and there is nothing left to salvage,” he wrote.
The swimmer also paid tribute to a long-time neighbour who died in the fire, extending his deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.
“It is with a heavy heart that I extend my deepest and most sincere condolences to the family and friends of my neighbour of many years, who tragically lost his life in this fire,” he said.
Chad also expressed his support for fellow residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed, describing the Sea Point community as close-knit and resilient.
View this post on Instagram
To assist those affected, he announced that the Chad le Clos Foundation has launched a fundraising campaign dedicated to helping his neighbours rebuild their lives. He stressed that all funds raised would go directly to supporting the residents, with the foundation overseeing the distribution of donations.
The Olympic champion also thanked his family, friends and members of the public for their messages of support during the difficult time. He praised neighbours for helping one another in the aftermath of the disaster and acknowledged the efforts of the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, emergency responders, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other emergency personnel who worked through the night to bring the fire under control.
Despite suffering a devastating personal loss, Chad said the support he has received from the community has provided comfort as he begins the process of rebuilding after the tragedy.
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Picture: Screengrab Instagram/ Chad le Clos
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
