A MOTHER and her three children yesterday lost their home and possessions in a fire which gutted their rental property on Warrnambool’s north-eastern outskirts.
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It is believed they spent last night with relatives while pondering their future.
The weatherboard three-bedroom house on Wangoom Road was engulfed by flames which started at the rear of the building about 2.50pm.
Despite the best efforts of about 30 firefighters from five CFA brigades the house was damaged beyond repair. Investigations are under way into the cause.
Senior station officer David Ferguson said the fire was fanned by the wind and burning intensely when brigades arrived.
“It started at the rear and we struggled to contain it,” he said. “Unfortunately it progressed through the roof and the rest of the house.
“The cause is unknown at this stage.
“We had brigades from Warrnambool, Allansford, Wangoom, Woodford and Koroit attending.”
A neighbour said the family had moved in only recently.
Another neighbour Donna Hancock said she noticed flames rising above the rear fence while she was folding washing.
“As I ran up the perimeter of the block I could feel the heat,” she said.
“The house went up like a match it happened so quickly.
“It was devastating for the family. They lost everything.
“One man offered to run in to the front of the house, but it was too dangerous.
“We managed to move their car back to safety, but the keys were in the house.”
