Fire engulfs house
A Neerim South house, known to most locals as the former medical clinic, was destroyed by fire on Thursday.
The fire was discovered by owner Steve Jedynak when he returned home from the hospital at about 11am. Dr Jedynak was not injured and managed to escape the house before fire engulfed the whole premises.
The Main Neerim Rd house is owned by Dr Jedynak and his doctor wife Liz Fitzgerald.
The front section of the house was used as a medical clinic until 2009. It is not confirmed whether old medical records were lost in the fire.
Neerim South CFA captain Brian Barwick said it was a “devastating loss for them”.
“They are in shock, they have lost everything. They are a massive part of our community and have been a big part of the town for 40 years,” he said.
Drs Jedynak and Fitzgerald acknowledged the work of CFA members and police in ensuring everyone’s safety and preventing damage to adjoining houses.
They thanked everyone for their concern and care following the fire and “the warmth and help from our wonderful community”.
Mr Barwick said more than 50 firefighters tried to bring the blaze under control but almost the whole house was destroyed.
He said Dr Jedynak had gone home from the hospital late Thursday morning and could smell smoke when he walked into the house.
He said the smoke appeared to be coming from an indoor pool area at the back of the home.
Mr Barwick said neighbours helped Dr Jedynak out through the front of the house.
He said another local assisted to tow his car from the driveway.
Mr Barwick said the brick house featured sections of timber cladding which had made it difficult for firefighting.
“The flames were out of the roof in the pool area so I knew we had a big job on our hands.
“We have three vehicles and we have been pushing for a pumper in town which gives you more capacity for structure fires.
“This just heightened our calls for a pumper in town,” he said.
Mr Barwick said units were called in from Warragul, Drouin, Drouin West and Nilma North; as well as an aerial platform appliance to enable them to fight the fire from above.
He said there were houses either side that could have potentially ignited so it was important to protect those assets.
As the house became structurally unsound, Mr Barwick said firefighters had to undertake an external attack.
He said there were more than 50 firefighters on site and a number of units remained on site for almost seven hours to ensure the fire was extinguished.
Mr Barwick said one Neerim South member was admitted to hospital overnight after suffering smoke inhalation.
The fire was not suspicious but Mr Barwick said the exact cause was still being investigated.
He said it appeared the fire began at the back of the house, and possibly could have started in the pool pump area, but nothing had been confirmed.