Claymore family lose everything in huge house fire

A southwest Sydney family has lost everything just days out from Christmas after a fire ripped through their home in the early hours of Friday morning.

A southwest Sydney family has lost everything just days out from Christmas after a fire ripped through their home in the early hours of Friday morning.

A woman and her four children were forced to flee the home with nothing more than the clothes on their back and their eight German Shepherd puppies just after 2am, after they woke up to the fire.

While they were able to rescue the puppies, their mother took off in the fire, and was yet to be found.

The woman told The Saturday Telegraph her youngest children - a seven-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl - were “terrified” but okay.

She said it was the second time her Department of Housing property had caught fire in the past few months - and believed the most recent blaze began in the laundry.

The house was gutted by the inferno. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The family were fortunate to escape without injury. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Neighbours Ricky Atienza and Jasmine David woke to the fire and dove out of bed, grabbing a hose to stop it spreading to their adjoining townhouse.

“I heard arguing … so I went downstairs and our backyard was on fire,” Ms David said.

“I told my husband ‘honey you have to get down there’.

“He ran out in his underwear and took the hose.”

Neighbours Ricky Atienza and Jasmine David scrambled to escape their home and hose down the blaze. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Mr Atienza said the fire was “so big and so hot”, with flames exploding out of his neighbours’ roof.

It is believed the blaze began in the laundry. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The family lost everything in the fire. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The couple have four Sharpay dogs, three of which ran away during the fire. One of the pups - named Curly - was safe at the property, but “very scared” according to Mr Atienza.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the blaze was being treated as suspicious.

“We’re treating it as suspicious because there’s no clear indication of where or how the fire started,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate to lose your home at any time, but particularly before Christmas, this is devastating for a young family.”

Originally published as Claymore family lose everything in huge house fire