BLAZE DEVASTATES FAMILY
A FAMILY is picking up the pieces after their historic home was turned to rubble by a huge fire, destroying 15 years of memories.
Janeanne Coker-Gough and Paul Gough bought the Red Hills house in 2008 and turned it into their dream home.
The 150-year-old building was burned to the ground on Sunday night after a fire ripped through the property, with firefighters unable to save the home, near Deloraine
Children Brittanni, 24, Koedi, 23, Jackson, 21, and Molly, 19, were raised in the home and have been left shattered by what’s happened.
“When I first received the phone call from my sister I was in complete disbelief to what she was saying,” Brittanni, who now lives in Melbourne, said.
“My first reaction was ‘was
there anyone in the house, is everyone OK’ as I know my parents and younger brother still live there.
“Then it was ‘when can I get on the next flight to Tas to help’.”
Janeanne and Paul are “heartbroken” to lose the home and some pets which didn’t make it.
Memories formed with their family over 15 years have now been lost forever, though Brittanni said they were trying to remain positive.
“It’s been quite a shock for all of us, and we are still very much coming to terms with it,” she said.
“There were so many irreplaceable things we had in that house including the house itself. We are all still very much processing it and grieving the loss.
“But even though we have all lost so much, I think I speak for all of us in saying we are just so relieved to still have all six of us here today, especially
my dad who was the one home at the time.”
Brittanni said it sounded like an electrical fault ignited the fire. She said they were “absolutely overwhelmed” with the support from the community, with people offering anything from “blankets to a place to live”.
“They are some of the strongest people I have ever met, so I didn’t expect any less from them,” she said.
“My family are just so grateful for our community, friends, family, neighbours, childhood friends and even strangers who have reached out to us from all over.
“I honestly cannot put into words how much it means to me and my family to see so much support and love.
“We are all so overwhelmed in the most wonderful way.”
The family is organising a fundraiser in the local area this weekend to thank firefighters.