A FAMILY who lost nearly everything in a house fire at Nullawil has thanked the community for generous donations to help them get back on their feet.
Naomi White took to Facebook to express her thanks after her family escaped the fire, but lost all their possessions in the blaze.
“Words can’t describe how I feel and appreciate each and everyone of you,” she wrote.
“You have all touched my heart. My kids were so heartbroken losing everything and thanks to your generosity you have made my babies smile again.”
The Baxter Street home was already engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived just after 7.30pm last Tuesday.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) said two children and their father were in the home at the time of the blaze, but made it out unharmed.
By 8pm, the three crews from Wycheproof, Nullawil and Dumosa had the fire under control with the scene declared safe by 9pm, but the home and possessions within it could not be saved.
It is thought to have started in the blocked flue of the wood heater.
The children’s aunt launched an appeal on social media later that night calling for clothing to help the family get back on their feet.
Support immediately started flowing in, with community members offering donations of clothing, toys and games.
The night was particularly busy for CFA crews across the state who attended a number of house fires — with four homes razed to the ground.
Additional to the fire at Nullawil, homes were destroyed at Marengo, Carrum Downs and Meeniyan, while houses were damaged at Hazeldene, Drouin, Bacchus Marsh and Nhill.
CFA state duty officer and operations manager Rohan Luke said the incidents were the latest in a string of serious fires, including some with fatal consequences.
He added it was important for residents to ensure they had a working smoke alarm.
“The effects of these fires on the families involved is devastating,” he said.
“The loss of irreplaceable possessions and memories pales in comparison to the tragedy of losing a loved one.
“By the time a house fire is called into triple zero it may already be too late for residents to escape.
“The best way to survive a fire in the home is to be alerted at the earliest opportunity by a working smoke alarm.”
In the past two weeks, CFA crews across the state have been called to 84 residential fires.
