WATCH: Dad catches last moments with daughter on video

A Beacon Valley family is picking up the pieces after a devastating fire over the weekend.

A seven-year-old girl’s body was carried out of the ashes and three of her relatives are in hospital, being treated for injuries sustained in the blaze.

Tamryn-Rox Smith, from Delft, died, her uncle Sean van Schalkwyk, 47, is at Mitchell’s Plain District Hospital, while his daughter Miché, 20, is at Tygerberg Hospital, and her daughter Kyra, 2, is at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

Tygerberg Hospital spokesperson Laticia Pienaar told the Plainsman yesterday, Tuesday November 22, that Ms Van Schalkwyk was in an unstable condition and ventilated, with minor burns to her body.

Monique Johnstone, Mitchell’s Plain District Hospital spokesperson, said Mr Van Schalkwyk arrived at the hospital in a critical condition and that he was due to be transferred to Tygerberg Hospital yesterday.

Byron la Hoe, Western Cape government department of health spokesman, confirmed that Kyra had been admitted to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

He said emergency medical services (EMS) received the call at 12.54am on Sunday November 20, where they found two injured adults and a child.

“Other services were also on the scene, including forensic pathology services (FPS) and City of Cape Town fire services.

“Sadly, a child died of burn injuries and the EMS would like to extend our condolences to the family,” said Mr La Hoe.

Jermaine Carelse, spokesman for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, said crews from Lansdowne, Khayelitsha, Belhar and Mitchell’s Plain had responded to the fire after the emergency call was received at 12.40am on Sunday.

“Two adults who suffered smoke inhalation and a child who sustained second degree burn wounds, were transported to hospital,” he said, adding that the house had been completely destroyed and adjacent properties, damaged.

Mr Carelse said Tamryn-Rox’s body had been round in one of the bedrooms.

“The fire, the cause of which is unknown, was extinguished at about 2.20am and the scene was handed over to the South African Police,” he said.

Tamryn-Rox had been sleeping over at her aunt and uncle’s home, in Beacon Valley because her father, who works in the security industry, was working.

Her cousin Jade van Schalkwyk told the Plainsman on Monday November 21 that her dad had woken her up to alert her to the fire that started in the lounge.

She ran for help but returned to find their home on fire.

“It happened so quickly,” she said.

She called Fire and Rescue Services and a neighbour.

Ms Van Schalkwyk said they lost everything and shook her head when her cousin was mentioned.

Cameron Regan Ely, 31, father of Tamryn-Rox, who was at the house with Ms Van Schalkwyk while neighbours helped to clean the site, struggled to stay among the debris for too long.

His daughter was full of energy and “you would have loved her,” he said.

He last saw her alive, when he dropped her on Saturday morning. En route they had sung gospel songs and he was able to catch a snippet of Tamryn-Rox singing along with “I will surrender”, in a video on his phone.

She is survived by her dad, three half-brothers and a half-sister.

Her mom died two-years ago, she lives with her dad who has the help of a nanny, aunts and uncles. She was a Grade 1 pupil at Sunray Primary School, where her class had just moved into a fresh new classroom.

“From small already I taught her not to litter and now moving into the new class, last week, she came to tell me about her mates throwing paper on the floor,” he said.

Mr Ely said they would remain faithful in God and that just last Thursday he had spoken to Tamryn-Rox about Jesus and explained to her about good and evil.

“Yes, my daughter lost her life, it is a tragedy but we believe eventually she would be made alive in God’s glory,” he said.

SAPS Western Cape spokesman Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Mitchell’s Plain police had registered an inquest following her death in the fire at Lotus Street, Beacon Valley.

“Her body was discovered after fire and rescue services extinguished the fire,” he said.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Anyone with any information can call Crime Stop on 086 001 0111.

Ms Van Schalkwyk now lives at her uncle’s house, across the road from her home, while her mom is at her aunt’s place, her dad and sister are in hospital.