Chad Le Clos Loses Home in Cape Town Fire That Killed Neighbour

The 34-year-old, who picked up his 21st medal when South Africa took bronze in the men's 4x100m medley relay, said the blaze destroyed his apartment. "It has taken me a while to process this heartbreaking tragedy, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist wrote on Instagram. "On the evening of 30 July, amid 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. Le Clos, who famously beat Michael Phelps to win 200m butterfly gold at the London Olympics in 2012, offered his "deepest and most sincere condolences" to the victim's family and friends, and said he has launched a fundraising campaign to help neighbours affected by the blaze. "No words can truly ease a loss like this, but I hope the family knows that the thoughts of an entire community are with them, the Durban-born swimmer said. "To my fellow neighbours whose homes and lives have been severely affected by this fire, please know that you are not alone.