Few of us can imagine leaving our home of a morning and returning the same day to nothing more than the clothes on our back – but this unimaginable scenario became a reality for a Balldale couple who lost everything in a house fire.
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Derek and Lynne Agnew left their 1906 Murray Pine weatherboard home fully intact last Wednesday morning.
When they returned, the home on Railway Road at Balldale was reduced to rubble and ash, as it is believed that an electrical fault caused the structure to become engulfed in flames and burn to the ground in about an hour.
Mrs Agnew, who was at work at the time in Corowa, received the frightening call from her husband at around 12.30pm that their house was ablaze.
“I was in Corowa and Derek was in Albury at the time,” she told The Free Press.
“I legged it home as fast as I could and all that was in my head were my dogs – where were my animals.
“I got there and stood and watched my home burn to the ground.”
The couples 11-year-old King Charles Spaniel was caught inside the house and perished in the fire, but their two other dogs along with their cat and bird were saved.
Nothing was salvaged in the vicious fire that caused the roof to completely collapse, including irreplaceable family heirlooms.
“I’ve lost a lifetime of memories, everything,” Mrs Agnew said.
“All my photos, my grandmother’s things, all my mother’s things who passed away when I was six – it’s all gone.”
Superintendent Pat Westwood of NSW Rural Fire Service said that the fire was reported by the Balldale Fire Brigade at about 12.25pm and six crews from the area attended to help fight it.
“The fire was contained within an hour of ignition but the fire spread so quickly that unfortunately we weren’t able to save the house,” he said.
“There could have been quite a significant threat if that fire had of spread to other structures however we were able to contain it to just the house on the ground.
“It’s a testament to the efforts of these volunteers that we weren’t in jeopardy of losing more than what was destroyed.”
Ms Agnew said the outpouring of community support to help mitigate the loss of losing everything has been the silver lining of such as tragedy.
People have donated cash, new and second-hand clothes, vouchers and fundraisers have been organised by friends and family.
“The community have been outstanding – so supportive, I’m just blown away,” she said.
“Already people have donated money, vouchers and my daughters have set-up a GoFundMe me which I think is already at about $1500.
“Brett and Karen St John from flooring extra are organising a charity golf day at the Corowa Golf Club, with all proceeds being donated to us.
“I feel wrapped in love and support.”
Despite the inferno destroying their home, the couple don’t plan on going anywhere.
“We’re going to rebuild, we’re not leaving Balldale,” Ms Agnew said.
If you would like to assist Derek and Lynne by making any sort of donation, contact the Balldale community page on Facebook.