Community helps Warrnambool family left homeless after fire guts home

The family was forced to live in a motel for a week, a caravan park for two weeks and a small rental.

At the time Ms Franklin didn't know how she would ever be able to afford to repair her home.

She didn't have insurance, but that probably would not have covered the repairs, as the blaze was caused by her ex-husband.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the family.

And it's all thanks to the generosity of south-west residents.

Ms Franklin and her children moved back into their home earlier this month.

Community members, business owners and her late grandfather all banded together to offer discounted products and hundreds of hours of free labour to restore her home to its former glory.

Ms Franklin said she struggles to find words to show her appreciation to the community.

"The only reason we're back home is because of all the businesses and my late grandfather," she said.

"Otherwise we would be still renting."

Ms Franklin said whenever she went to the house there would be a new person helping out.

She said it took a lot to repair the home.

"They had to completely gut all of inside, replace all the bricks out the front, re-do the roof and they installed a new walk-in pantry," Ms Franklin said.

Her children are elated to be back home, enjoying cooking in the new kitchen and having more space.

"The Warrnambool community is amazing," she said.

"The generosity of residents is incredible. It's pretty overwhelming and there's not many words I can use to express my gratitude for what everyone has done for us."

"We're deeply appreciative, overwhelmed and ecstatic."

Ms Franklin said she was able to use money raised through a GoFundMe page to buy new furniture for the home. She said it had been an extremely difficult 21 months.

Her ex-husband was sentenced last week.

Ms Franklin said she had hoped this would bring closure and help her move on, but she is disappointed he may be eligible for release on parole in about August.

"He can potentially be out in a month and that absolutely terrifies me," she said.

Ms Franklin said she felt let down by the justice system.

"Something needs to change (to protect victims)," she said.

In addition to that the case has dragged on because her ex-husband initially pleaded not guilty.

"It makes me angry and anxious," she said.

"It's incredibly tough going through such a traumatic event, supporting my three young children emotionally and financially.

"The silver lining is the community generosity and being back in our family home."

Catch up on the headlines of the week with our weekly podcast The Booletin and Beyond released every Sunday:

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.