Chad le Clos Loses 90% of Belongings in Sea Point Fire as Sam Strime Dies Saving Dog
- Sam Strime, 93, died of smoke inhalation on the fifth floor of a Sea Point apartment complex on High Level Road
- His son Kevin Strime revealed his father became trapped in thick smoke while attempting to rescue his pet dog
- Chad le Clos, who lost 90% of his belongings in the blaze, launched a rescue drive for three displaced families from the building
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A 93-year-old man who perished in a fire at a Sea Point apartment block last week has been remembered as a beloved and instantly recognisable figure in the neighbourhood. Sam Strime died of smoke inhalation on the fifth floor of the complex on High Level Road, according to authorities.
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His son, Kevin Strime, confirmed that his father had gone back inside the building in an attempt to save his dog and became overcome by the smoke. Kevin described his father as someone who "loved everyone" and was well known throughout the local community.
Sea Point community mourns Sam Strime
Author and Sea Point resident Herman Lategan paid tribute to Strime on Facebook, recalling his distinctive presence at a local restaurant.
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"He was a regular at the Vasco da Gama Taverna. If you spent enough time there, you eventually came to know him. You couldn't miss him," Lategan wrote.
"He had a mop of long grey hair, like curtains around his face. Peeping from beneath them, he would fix you with eyes so piercing that he could stare almost anyone out of the room. It was an extraordinary stare. He had no airs about him and wasn't interested in impressing anyone."
Lategan signed off his tribute with characteristic warmth:
"Sea Point has lost another oddball. Goodbye bright yellow, goodbye Formica table, goodbye Sam."
As seen in the post below.
Le Clos lost 90% of his belongings
Olympic swimmer Chad le Clos, 34, learned of the fire while conducting a media interview at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He publicly announced on 4 August that his flat had been completely gutted, and he subsequently organised a relief drive for the three families left without shelter by the blaze.
Speaking to KFM, le Clos said he lost 90% of his possessions, including clothing, watches and sporting memorabilia collected throughout his career. His apartment was formerly home to the late Sea Point GP, Dr John Sonnenberg.
Despite the loss, le Clos remained composed.
"As much as I've lost a hell of a lot in the last few days, I've gained a lifetime of memories that will never ever be extinguished," he said.
Lategan also praised le Clos for the tone of his public response, noting that just hours after breaking the all-time Commonwealth Games medal record, the swimmer chose to lead with the story of his deceased neighbour and the displaced residents rather than his own loss. The contrast between his personal devastation and his public response struck a chord with many South Africans.
Roland Schoeman gets engaged
Briefly News previously reported that South African swimming icon Roland Schoeman has shared major personal news on social media.
The former champion revealed a special moment overseas after taking his relationship to the next level. Fans and fellow sporting figures quickly flooded social media with messages of support for the retired star
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Source: Briefly News
