Dalby community rallies behind family after house fire

THE Dalby community is rallying behind the family of four who lost everything when their Mary St home was gutted by fire on Tuesday morning.

THE Dalby community is rallying behind the family of  four who lost everything when their Mary St home was gutted by fire on Tuesday morning.

Charlene Nicholson, husband Dakoda Manns and their two children Dusty, 2 and Jett, 3, are trying to rebuild their lives after escaping from the blaze through a window.

Relative Tina Grimes said she was amazed at the speed and generosity of the Dalby community joining together.

The family has been staying at Mr Manns mother's house while she was away visiting Mr Manns' brother who is in intensive care for an unrelated medical condition.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel at a house fire in Dalby.

"I've never seen a family with such tragedy," Ms Grimes said.

"They lost their daughter a few years ago, and now they've lost all of her things in the fire. They can't be replaced.

"A teddy bear at their mum's is all that's left... she's still in their hearts though."

Dalby auxiliary firefighter Dan Harris was able to rescue one of the family dogs which was trapped in the bathroom at the rear of the property.

Ms Grimes said she wanted to thank the community for its ongoing compassion and donations.

"It really shows that people are still coming together, it's been marvellous and you just don't realise how much people want to help," she said.

"I let the family take it all in overnight, then went around and took things to them, and Charlene just cried; she was sobbing.

Don and Dan Harris with Joker, the dog they saved from a house fire in Dalby. Picture: Alasdair Young

Toys for the children have been donated by families across the region to keep their spirits up and replace lost Christmas gifts.

"Any double ups of donations I will give back to the community."

Charity Helping Hands Outreach Project for Dalby has also been inundated with generous donations for the family and been quick to pass them on.

Investigations are continuing into the cause of the fire that was believed to have started in the kitchen.

You can help

• If you can help with donations of white goods, food vouchers or household items should phone Tina Grimes on 0459 519 414.
• Donations are also being collected at 69 Edward St.

Dalby fire in Mary St January 5

VIEW GALLERY

Originally published as Dalby community rallies behind family after house fire