Accidental fire destroys family home in South West WA
Lisa Fawcett is still grappling with the reality of an accidental fire that destroyed her entire home and belongings.
A tragic house fire in Western Australia's South West has destroyed a family's home and all their possessions. Lisa Fawcett, a mother from Boyup Brook, was asleep when the blaze began around 10am on Sunday. Despite the extent of the damage, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has yet to determine the exact cause of the non-suspicious fire.
Ms Fawcett, who has narcolepsy, believes a bar heater may have been too close to a couch. She awoke to find thick black smoke filling her son's room and burst into flames. Unable to grab anything, she had to escape through a window. Her son followed suit, jumping from the window. Emergency services arrived quickly, but the family was left devastated by the loss.
Ms Fawcett's house was underinsured, but a payout may cover the removal of debris. The sentimental items she lost, including her partner's rings and family photos, are particularly heartbreaking. Neighbors assisted by disconnecting gas bottles and moving her car. Ms Fawcett has been offered temporary accommodation, and the community has shown support during this difficult time.
Acting Superintendent John Bowman confirmed the fire was likely caused by an electrical fault with the heater or due to its proximity to fabric. Despite the injuries being more smoke-related, this outcome is considered fortunate.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
