FIRE DESTROYS FAMILY’S NEW HOME PLANS
A QUEENSLAND family’s dream of moving into their new property and starting life in Tasmania has been put on hold due to fire.
The family, from Gympie, had recently taken possession of their weatherboard house in Ridgley, in Tasmania’s North-West. The father had moved down to get things ready for the arrival of the rest of the family.
Early Tuesday morning a log or a spark from an open fire – which was not screened – started a fire which quickly took hold. The house has been extensively damaged and will need to be demolished. It is understood that the family home was insured.
Fire investigator Wayne Viney said the man was lucky to get out alive because he was asleep when the fire started.
“He heard unusual crackling and woke as the fire started to take hold,” Mr Viney said. “He is shaken up.”
“Investigations concluded that a spark or timber had rolled out of the fireplace and ignited the floor.
“TFS recommends open fireplaces are never left unattended or burning through the night and ensure there is appropriate protection such as a fire guard to prevent logs from rolling out.”
Two crews from Burnie, two from Ridgley and one from Somerset arrived at the property just after 5am to find the house well alight. The fire was brought under control two hours later.
A section of the Ridgley Highway was closed during the blaze.
The homeowner received treatment for smoke inhalation. It is not known if the family will rebuild.