Olympic swimmer Chad le Clos has revealed that his Sea Point apartment was destroyed in a fire that killed one of his neighbours, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The South African gold medallist shared the news in an Instagram statement on Tuesday, saying the blaze broke out on Thursday, 30 July, and spread quickly through his apartment block. He was in Glasgow, where he added to his Commonwealth Games medal tally.
‘It has taken me a while,’ le Clos said. ‘There is nothing left to salvage.’
He also expressed sympathy for the neighbour who died and for residents whose homes were damaged. ‘Please know that you are not alone,’ he said.
Le Clos thanked the fire department, first responders, police and other emergency services for their response to the scene. He said he and his foundation have set up a campaign to help neighbours rebuild after the loss.
The 34-year-old added three more medals in Glasgow, taking his all-time Commonwealth Games total to 21, a record. He first rose to global fame at the London 2012 Olympics, where he beat Michael Phelps to gold in the men’s 200m butterfly. The Sea Point block has since become a support focus for the swimmer and his team.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Picture: Roger Sedres / Gallo Images
