A family of eight have had their home completely gutted after a “devastating” house fire took hold on Christmas Day in a Tasmanian town near Devonport.
One of the parent’s sisters Maeghan Wealands shared the family’s heartbreaking news on a GoFundMe page saying the Sheffield home was “damaged immensely”.
“My sister, her partner and their family – five teenagers and a five-year-old – have just had their family home in Lower Barrington, Sheffield damaged immensely by a devastating electrical fire this morning, on Christmas Day,” she wrote.
Ms Wealands parents – who lived on the property in a granny flat – were the ones to raise the alarm after they noticed smoke billowing from the home.
Her father was quick to a try and extinguish the flames with a garden hose as they waited for firefighters to arrive on the scene.
However, it was too late to save the home.
“The results of this fire are catastrophic, the entire house is ruined and the house is completely uninhabitable,” Ms Wealands said.
In an incredible stroke of luck, the family had left the home to attend a Christmas lunch and no one was injured.
“It could have been a lot worse and we are so thankful the family and pets are safe.”
All of the families possessions were destroyed in the blaze leaving the family overwhelmed at such a chaotic time of the year to replace necessities.
The GoFundMe page reached its original goal within 24 hours and has since raised $11,245 of the updated $15,000 goal.
“We are honestly blown away by the kindness of everyone. Thank you all so, so much,” Ms Wealands said.
“We have updated the goal, not really sure what to put for it, just wanted to say what a caring community and everyone is looking out for the family so much.”