By Bonny Burrows
The Pakenham community has thrown its support behind the Celebration Circuit family which lost “everything” in the inferno that struck their home on Friday 3 November.
Fire broke out in the garage of the house shortly after 9am, and firefighters were on scene a short time later, battling for 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
Unfortunately, the fire spread to other parts of the house and the family’s possessions were ruined by the smoke and soot.
While the family comes to terms with the loss, the local community has banded together to help out.
Neighbour Bek Southall has launched a gofundme.com page while other residents have started collections of essential items to help the family.
It is believed the residents of the home are two adults and four children – two of who are teenagers.
Ms Southall said she didn’t know the family but felt compelled to help.
“I was devastated for them. As a mother of two small girls, it was a real eye opener to see that you can lose everything you own in under two minutes,” Ms Southall said.
She said she was simply doing what any decent person would do “to be a good neighbour and a good human being”.
“I know if the situation was reversed and it was I in their shoes, I would hope somebody would be as kind to help my family.”
Ms Southall’s fund-raiser for the family can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/4nvctn4.
