20k raised for family after devastating fire at Benowa
Two Gold Coast families have had their homes destroyed in separate fires at the weekend, but the community has stepped up to the plate.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Gold Coast couple who lost all their possessions in a Benowa home inferno are now feeling the warmth of generosity of after the community raised $20,000 for them.
Their home on The Boulevard at Benowa burst into flames at midday on April 6, with the cause still undetermined, a Queensland Fire Department spokesman said.
Six crews spent more than 90 minutes battling the blaze, in which time the residents, Dominee Hall and Ben Latimer, lost almost all their possessions.
Ms Hall’s sister, Kristen Carroll, created a GoFundMe to help the couple on Monday, which racked up more than $20,000 worth of donations in less than 24 hours.
A QFD spokesman said damage to the property was so extensive that a fire investigator was unable to determine the cause.
On the GoFundMe page, Ms Carroll wrote the couple’s position was worsened as they did not have insurance.
“The reality is heartbreaking: no possessions, no furniture, no personal keepsakes - just each other and the kids,” the GoFundMe read.
“They’ve managed to secure short-term accommodation for now, but rebuilding their lives will take time, support, and resources.
“From replacing everyday essentials to eventually finding a new place to call home, they have a long road ahead.”
Less than 12 hours later, at 11pm on Sunday, another Gold Coast home was destroyed in a fire.
The home on Columbus Drive at Hollywell was rented by a family with three young children, who also lost everything in the blaze.
A post to social media shared by their real estate agent appealed to the community for help, with dozens of commenters eager to assist.
A QFD spokeswoman said the point of origin for that fire was in the garage, where there was an electrical vehicle was charging, though the cause has not yet been confirmed.
Originally published as 20k raised for family after devastating fire at Benowa
Gold Coast marketing firm wound up owing an alleged $1.8 million
The Federal Court has ordered a Mermaid Beach outfit into liquidation after a voluntary administrator’s report found evidence of insolvent trading and company cash flowing into the director’s personal account.
$95.6m high-rise apartments and retail to transform coastal town
An almost $100m proposal for an ambitious multimillion shop top apartment complex which could redefine a sleepy northern NSW town’s skyline is before the state’s planning panel.