Family loses everything

A FIRE that ripped through a young family’s home at Chinkapook last week has left the family devastated and with little more than the clothes on their backs.

Shae-Maree Colman and her husband Nathan Saunders were in bed after celebrating their daughter Lilly’s birthday party on Good Friday when the fire broke out around 11pm.

“The two eldest girls were still awake watching a movie,” Ms Coleman said.

“My husband and I were awakened to the screams of my daughters shouting ‘the house is on fire’.

“I immediately went about collecting all the children, getting them to safety and Nathan tried to put the fire out.

“I left the children in the yard and returned to the house with the garden hose but we had no water pressure. 

“It became evident really quickly that it was too late, the walls were alight, the roof, it took less than five minutes and so we got out.”

Ms Coleman and Mr Saunders have five daughters aged between 21 months and 11.

The family lost pretty much everything but were thankful that everyone was safe including the family pets. 

Melanie Jones is coordinating the collection of donated items and said that pantry items such as spices and condiments were also appreciated.

Ms Jones has set up an official fundraising effort and donations can be made by contacting her on 0407 656 277.

A bank account has also been set up to raise funds for the family and donations can be made via Saunders Fundraising, Bendigo Bank (BSB 633 000; Account number 157120999).

For more on this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (April 1).